Ohio State Football: First pick against the spread in 2019

The Ohio State football team still has a week before taking the field but there is an intriguing game involving a top 10 team on tap.

Each of the last three years I have picked against the spread of games involving top 10 teams even when the Ohio State football team had a week off. Well, the Buckeyes are still a week away from playing their first game but there is what promises to be an exciting game tonight involving a top 10 team so I’ll make my first pick of the season.

As usual I will go with rankings according to the AP before the College Football Playoff Committee releases its first.

The point spread is according to Bavada:

Florida (8) by 8.5 over Miami:  Even though these two teams haven’t faced each other since 2013, make no mistake thinking this isn’t a rivalry game. The fact they haven’t played since could make the game even more intense.

I can’t wait to watch it.

The schools have battled over the years and I have had fun watching the rivalry for decades. It began in late 1978 when I was transferred to my last ship the USS Forrestal which was stationed in Mayport, Florida, and I moved to Fort Myers when I was discharged in 1979.

More from Ohio State Football

• Ohio State Football: How Denzel Burke has bounced back so far this season
• Ohio State Football rolling into form at the perfect time
• How Ohio State football has done historically versus new Big 12
• Ohio State Football: We need to see “Killer Ryan Day” at South Bend
• Ohio State Football vs. Notre Dame Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 4

I followed Miami when Bernie Kozar was leading the Miami Hurricanes to the national championship in 1983. Years later I moved to Gainesville when Miami was claiming to be the real University of Florida. There has been bad blood between the schools since.

Now for my pick. I don’t like the spread because when it’s 7.5, 14. 5, 21.5, etc., too often that ½ point gives me grief when I pick a team to cover.

A late score by the losing team can turn me into a loser. Still, I predict Florida to cover and here’s why.

Miami was off to a nice start in 2018 with a 5-1 record but lost 5 of the last 7 including losing to Wisconsin 35-7 in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. The Hurricanes have a new head coach in Manny Diaz and it has been reported he will go with Jarren Williams who was 1-3 passing as a freshman as his starting quarterback.

Florida was 10-3 last season and finished on a high note winning the last 4 games and smoked Michigan in the Peach Bowl. The Gators have Feliepe Franks returning at QB and he has plenty of experience.

I think the bright lights of a nationally televised game against an in-state rival could be a little too much for Williams and I expect him to turn the ball over at least a couple of times. And I think Franks and the Florida offense will turn the mistakes into points.

I see the Gators winning this game by at least 8 points.

Whether I’m right or wrong with my prediction I’m just glad college football is back. And what a game to start off the season.