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 is unique as it’s only the second time in AP history that top-3 ranked teams meet in a season opener. Ohio State bested Texas 28-14 in last season’s playoffs, evening their all-time rivalry to 2-2.

Texas will see Arch Manning, a strong Heisman candidate at +700 odds, taking the lead as starter, while Jeremiah Smith is set to shine for OSU with +1100 odds.

Kickoff at Ohio Stadium in Columbus is slated for noon ET, with Ohio State favored by 1 point, and the total points expected to be around 47.

Before making any picks, check out what Bruce Marshall from SportsLine has to say. He boasts an impressive 64-43 record in college football last season.

For key insights on why Ohio State stands a good chance: although Manning is yet untested in away games, the Buckeyes have a strong home record under coach Ryan Day. Since 2019, OSU has claimed 37 victories out of 40 home games, including key wins against ranked teams.

Conversely, Texas has a formidable defense that held potential threats like Smith to minimal yards during their previous encounters. The Longhorns also carry momentum from winning their last 11 road games.

Marshall advises looking closely at the total points predicted, favoring the under, while also highlighting essential factors that could sway the match outcome. For exclusive predictions and in-depth analysis, visit SportsLine now.