2005 Ohio Bobcats Handicapping Review

 

By Tom Wilkinson

 

Ohio entered 2004 as a consistent straight up loser and also-ran in the Mid American Conference, as well as a streaky team against the odds during that span. In 2001 Ohio had winning streaks against the sports betting line of two games twice, while posting losing streaks of three and four games. In 2002 Ohio had winning streaks of two, two, and three games against the odds while also burning bankrolls with a three game losing streak. In 2003, Ohio dropped its first three games against the sports betting line, then won two-straight, then lost three-straight, before getting the money twice in a row. Most members of the sports handicapping fraternity simply ignored Ohio, as they were losers from a non Bowl Championship Series conference and what few online sports betting blogs appeared regarding Ohio were by bloggers posting messages about having Ohio as a “go against” team on their list of football picks.

After opening 2004 with a non-lined 42-14 home win over 1-AA VMI, Ohio traveled to Pittsburgh and lost 3-24 as 17.5-point dogs. They next traveled to Miami of Ohio and lost 20-40 as 19-point dogs in a bad beat for Ohio backers against the odds.

With a 0-2 start against the sports betting line and 1-2 mark straight up, it seemed like business as usual for the Bobcats. Ohio, streaky as ever, took advantage of their extra sports handicapping value, however, and beat the sports betting odds in their next three games, winning two of those games straight up. The best win was a 28-16 upset at Kentucky as 13.5-point dogs to the SEC team. The loss was an impressive close call at home to traditional MAC power Marshall 13-16 as 9.5-point dogs.

Ohio stood at 3-2 against the odds and 3-3 straight up as they headed into the season’s second half with a little bit of respect. But a 13-31 loss at Toledo as 13.5-point dogs was the beginning of the end for the Bobcats, who were about to start another streak, though not the kind a team or sports bettor tends to enjoy.

Ohio ended up losing their final five games against the odds, with just one straight up win in the process as 2-point chalks at Central Florida in a 17-16 overtime win. Ohio finished 4-7 straight up and 3-7 against the odds, their third losing season against the online sports betting sites and sportsbooks in four seasons.