Ohio State opens as heavy favorite over Nebraska

Buckeye Xtra

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Austin Mack (11) celebrates his touchdown catch from Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) against Nebraska Cornhuskers during the 2nd quarter of their game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. on September 28, 2019. [Kyle Robertson/Dispatch]

Ohio State will be a heavy favorite when it opens its season next week against Nebraska.

As part of the early betting lines released by BetOnline for the Big Ten’s opening weekend of games, the Buckeyes are favored by 21.5 points.

Last season, the Buckeyes routed the Cornhuskers in Lincoln, a 48-7 victory that marked their fifth in a row in the series. They have not lost to Nebraska since 2011, its first season in the conference.

All five victories for Ohio State have been settled by an average margin of 34.4 points.

Only Wisconsin is a bigger top dog in Week 1 as the Badgers are listed as 23.5-point favorites over Illinois. The teams meet on Oct. 23 in a Friday night matchup that kicks off the Big Ten’s season.

Kickoff between Ohio State and Nebraska is scheduled for noon on Oct. 24, with the game to be televised on FOX.

jkaufman@dispatch.com

@joeyrkaufman