Navy vs. Ohio State College Football Picks: The biggest job No. 4 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes have in store for Saturday's 2009 football opener with Navy is not to look ahead to their date with USC in Week-2. For the past two years the Buckeyes have opened their season with FCS Youngstown State and didn't need to worry about losing even on the worst of days. The Midshipmen have some quality talent and even better, they play with heart. While many athletes on the Ohio State roster will play in the NFL, it's unlikely any Midshipmen will suit up on Sundays.

It might be easy for Buckeyes players to be thinking about mighty Trojans and not the Naval Academy Goat. After all, it was USC that handed the Buckeyes a spanking out in Los Angeles last year OSU nation will never forget.

Oddsmakers at Sportsbetting.com have chalked the Buckeyes as 22-point favorites versus Navy with a 47 total. Moneyline odds are currently OFF the Sportsbetting college football board.

Current college football betting trends show 70 percent of money wagered against the spread (ATS) falling on the Buckeyes while 79 percent of public money is wagered on the total to go OVER the posted 47 points.

Taking on the Midshipmen certainly has Buckeyes players attention.

"Navy's no pushover," OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor said. "And you know they're going to be tough. They serve our country. You also got to appreciate that too because they serve our nation and protect us."
 
There are also a couple of other reasons why the game could be a problem for the Buckeyes. For one, the Midshipmen's triple-option attack is something foreign to a defense that regularly faces spread attacks.

For another, a date with No. 4 Southern California, which ravaged the Buckeyes 35-3 in SoCal a year ago, is looming a week later. The Buckeyes know they can't be distracted by that, since they'll likely have their hands full with the Midshipmen.
 
Unlike Youngstown State or the Mid-American Conference schools the Buckeyes usually open against, the Midshipmen won't be intimidated by the more than 100,000 in attendance. They've played on big stages and in big games, winning their last 13 against Army and Air Force to take the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy the last six years.

College Football Picks: The Middies know how to chew up some clock with their ground game. While Ohio State will not lose this game the score might be closer than many folks think. Thats why Navy should cover as a plus 22 Dog.

This game will be carried by ESPN-HD with a Noon kickoff from Columbus, Ohio.