The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes will kick off their quest for a national title against the No. 1 Texas Longhorns this Saturday. This matchup marks just the second instance in AP history where top-3 teams face off in a season opener. Ohio State had previously triumphed over Texas, winning 28-14 in last year’s CFP semifinals, equalizing their historical series at 2-2. Notably, Texas will be led by new starting quarterback Arch Manning, who enters as the Heisman frontrunner but will be making his first collegiate road start.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, where the Buckeyes are favored by 1.5 points according to the current Texas vs. Ohio State odds. The total points over-under is at 47.5. Before placing any bets, it’s wise to check out Bruce Marshall’s analysis. New users might also explore the DraftKings promo code for bonuses.

For years, Vegas veteran Bruce Marshall was synonymous with The Gold Sheet, a renowned sports betting newsletter. Arriving at TGS in 1981, he shared his extensive football and basketball analysis with SportsLine users, making him SportsLine’s top expert in 2024 with a stunning 64-43 record that brought in 16.24 units for $100 bettors. His insight into the Texas vs. Ohio State game should not be missed.

Why Ohio State can cover

While Manning has seen victories as Texas’s starter, they came against teams with combined records of 7-17 last season. With zero road starts under his belt and none of his 95 career passing attempts occurring in away stadiums, he faces a daunting challenge against a Buckeyes team that had the best FBS scoring defense last season. Under head coach Ryan Day’s leadership since 2019, Ohio State boasts a 37-3 home game record, ranking second only to Alabama for total home victories in college football.

Day has demonstrated his ability to rally the team for significant games, boasting a perfect 6-0 record against ranked opponents both outright and against the spread. This includes their 14-point CFP victory over Texas last year, comfortably covering the 6-point spread. Ohio State has consistently achieved double-digit victories against top-10 teams, tying the longest active streak in three decades.

Why Texas can cover

The Buckeyes that Texas faced in the CFP matchup are no longer the same. Ohio State faces significant roster changes, losing 14 players to the NFL Draft, including four first-round picks. Their new quarterback, Julian Sayin, who has only attempted 12 passes in college, will also make his debut against the top-ranked pass defense of 2024, which saw Texas allowing just 5.7 yards per attempt and leading the nation with 22 interceptions.

In their previous CFP game, Texas’s defense demonstrated its strength by limiting Ohio State’s star receiver Jeremiah Smith to merely one catch for three yards, compared to Smith’s usual average of 126 yards in other CFP games. Moreover, Texas boasts an impressive record of 11 consecutive road wins, the longest active stretch in FBS. They also earned a victory on their last trip to Ohio Stadium in 2005. Recent history favors the top-ranked team, with the last three non-conference AP top-3 matchups going the way of the No. 1 team.

How to make Texas vs. Ohio State picks

Marshall’s analysis of the game leans towards the Under for the total points while highlighting a crucial x-factor that might sway the spread decisively. Additional insights and betting strategies, including a chance to subscribe to SportsLine for just $1, are available. Curious about the winner? Join SportsLine to discover which side to back, informed by the expert who had a 64-43-3 record in college football picks last season.