Ohio State fans had a wonderful day in the sun yesterday at the annual Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Ohio State bettors at Wannamakeabet.com and across America, on the other hand, were delivered a sickening bad beat late in the game that only true sports bettors can comprehend. Instead of enjoying a beautiful day in the perfect southern California weather for Urban Meyer’s last game, Buckeye backers were treated to the Buckeye Bowl game bad beat, which was arguably the worst of this year’s bowl season.
As most bad beats go, the game was well in hand as we entered the 4th quarter of the game. In fact, the score was 28-3. People with action on OSU were even saying the L word. That’s right, Lock. But then, Washington started to move the ball well after failing to do so the entire game.
There was a big line move toward Washington in the last hour before the game kicked off. Now depending on when you bet Ohio State, your line was anywhere between -7 and – 4.5. But only people who bet the game in the last hour benefitted from the 4.5 point line. For example, 99% of bettors in leagues at Wannamakeabet.com had Ohio State laying at least 6 points.
Washington finally scored to make it 28-10. Buckeye bettors were still fine with this with over 9 minutes to play. Then they scored again, score was now, 28-17. 11 point lead. No problem, right? As long as Ohio State took care of the ball and the clock. Things should have been fine.
But they did not do that. Instead, they were snapping the ball with 15 seconds left on the play clock numerous times. But worse than that, they were still THROWING THE BALL. This is inconceivable in the NFL and yet it happens all the time in college. Teams try and score and light up the scoreboard until the very end of the game.
Washington made a questionable call of their own with 4 minutes left in the game and down by 11. They PUNTED! Washington bettors were now beside themselves as they appeared to be giving up by not going for it on 4th down from their own 30 yard line.
Once again, Ohio State did not control the clock or run the ball, and found themselves sacked and facing 3rd and long. They didn’t convert and punted again.
Washington got the ball back and then marched 71 yards in 10 plays to score on Myles Gaskin’s two-yard run with 42 seconds left. Now they were down by 5. Everyone on Ohio State laying 6, 6.5, or 7 felt like throwing up. And the folks who had Ohio State minus 4 and 4.5 were not in the clear and holding their breath as Washington lined up to try and 2 point conversion and cut the lead to 3.
That attempt was intercepted. And not just intercepted, the Buckeyes were trying to take it 109 yards to the house for a pick two, which would have given them a 7 point victory and dodge the bullet of this entire fiasco. But that effort fell short as the player was tackled on the 20 yard line.
Washington did not convert the onside kick. But the damage was done. They came all the way back to lose the game by 5 and delivered a sickening blow to Ohio State bettors.
This is the epitome of a bad beat. It’s also a reminder of how often this happens in sports betting. And no better reason to be playing at Wannamakeabet.com instead of playing with real money. Instead of losing real money, you would have only lost units. Perhaps it still hurts just as bad. But either way it doesn’t hit hard on the wallet. And that’s what matters most.
And that’s the story of the Buckeye Bowl Game bad beat. Arguably the worst one of this year’s bowl season. And a terrible way to start off the year if you’re a sports bettor.
Morris Chambers is a senior College Football analyst for Wannamakeabet.com