Ohio State vs. Texas Predictions: College Football Week 2 Opening Odds & Early Pick

Oddsmakers believe in No. 5 Texas’ chances to beat No. 1 Ohio State in what is likely the biggest non-conference college football matchup of the season, and my Ohio State vs. Texas early predictions call for the Longhorns’ homefield advantage to help them secure the victory.

The Longhorns are out for revenge after losing to the Buckeyes each of the last two seasons, 28-14 in the 2024 CFP Quarterfinal, and 14-7 at Columbus in last year’s season opener.

Texas is a 1.5-point betting favorite ahead of Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. The game will air on ABC.

🏈 Early Ohio State vs. Texas prediction: Week 2

Stay ahead with the rest of our early college football picks.

Texas -1 (-110 via BetMGM)

Arch Manning struggled in his first road start at Ohio State last year, as the Buckeyes defense was littered with five players that were taken within the top 62 picks of last year’s NFL Draft (the five players taken in the first two rounds were tied for the most in the common draft era). 

Manning learned from his mistakes and finished in the top 15 of FBS quarterbacks in QBR, passing + rushing touchdowns, and touchdown-to-interception ratio over the final 10 games.

Meanwhile, Ohio State allowed 10 sacks in its final two games last season. Despite ranking 33rd in FBS with a 30% pressure rate allowed, pass protection is a cause for concern in this road environment.

With Texas' point spread as high as -1.5, I'm grabbing the best number at BetMGM in case its homefield advantage pushes the line closer to the key number of -3 before kickoff.

📊 Live Ohio State vs. Texas odds: Week 2

See the latest college football odds for every game in real time.

Ohio State vs. Texas opening odds

• Moneyline: Ohio State -105 | Texas -112
• Spread: Ohio State +1.5 (-110) | Texas -1.5 (-110)
• Over/Under: Over 47.5 (-110) | Under 47.5 (-110)

Ohio State vs. Texas line movement

There has been no big, noticeable line movement from a point spread perspective, as none of the best sports betting sites have wavered off of Texas -1 or -1.5. The total has seen the most movement, up a full point to 48.5 from an opening number of 47.5. Given that 56% of the wagers are on the Under, and that these two teams combined for just 21 points in last year's matchup, sharp action is likely behind this movement. If the total doesn't rise any more than it already has, I'll also be playing the Over in addition to Texas covering.

📈 Ohio State vs. Texas trends & betting notes: Week 2

Check out all of our college football analysis and betting advice this season.

• Both teams covered the spread in Week 1
• Both teams cashed the Over in Week 1
• Jeremiah Smith had eight receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 against Ball State. Texas held him to six catches for 43 yards last year.

📺 How to watch Ohio State vs. Texas: Week 2

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 12
• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, Texas)
• TV: ABC