The Ohio Bobcats are coming off a MAC Championship, but there are still many questions for bettors, including the impact of former head coach Tim Albin leaving after the championship game to take the Charlotte job.
Brian Smith stepped in to secure the win in the Cure Bowl and was later named head coach. Smith, who served as the Bobcats’ offensive coordinator and associate head coach in 2024, should provide continuity on offense. Insiders believe the transition to Smith will help the program continue its rise on the national stage.
The Bobcats got a big boost to their offensive line with the return of graduate Shederick Rhodes, who is using this season to build momentum toward an NFL career. After transferring to Rutgers in 2024 but appearing in only two games, Rhodes has a lot to prove. His return means he’ll likely play with a chip on his shoulder all season.
Rutgers faces questions on both their offensive and defensive lines after key departures from the 2024 team. The Knights will also be breaking in new defensive coordinators Robb Smith (play calling) and Zach Sparbar, who previously worked together at Duke.
Ohio, which boasted a top-20 defense last season, returns key contributors to face a Knights offense that padded its stats against weaker opponents (88 of their points came against Wagner and Temple).
The Scarlet Knights ended the 2024 season failing to cover five of their last seven games, while Ohio covered six of their last seven. Rutgers was 4-1-1 as an underdog in 2024 but just 2-3 ATS as a favorite, all at home.
This inflated number is too good to pass up.
Dana Lane’s Free Play: Ohio Bobcats +15.5 -110