Top-ranked Buckeyes visit Longhorns in early-season showdown
No. 1 Ohio State (1-0) and No. 4 Texas (1-0) meet Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The game is a rematch of last season's opener, which Ohio State won 14-7 in Columbus.
Ohio State leads the all-time series 3-2, including that 14-7 victory last season. In the only previous meeting in Austin, the Buckeyes won 24-7 in 2006. Texas is also seeking its first win over an AP No. 1 team since 2008, according to CBS Sports.
Last season's meeting and this year's openers
In last season's game, Texas recorded 16 first downs to Ohio State's 11, but Texas quarterback Arch Manning was limited to 170 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception, and the Longhorns were minus-1 in turnovers. Ohio State's Julian Sayin threw for just 126 yards and one touchdown, while receiver Jeremiah Smith was limited to six catches for 43 yards.
Both teams opened this season with lopsided wins. Ohio State defeated Ball State 56-3, with Sayin throwing for 320 yards and three touchdowns, Smith catching eight passes for 151 yards and two scores, and running back Bo Jackson rushing for 83 yards and a touchdown. Texas beat Texas State 59-7; Manning threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns, and receiver Ryan Wingo led the team with seven receptions for 121 yards and a score.
Texas has added several offensive playmakers through the transfer portal, according to CBS Sports: receiver Cam Coleman, a former five-star prospect from Auburn; Arizona State running back Raleek Brown, who rushed for 1,141 yards last season; and NC State running back Hollywood Smothers, who averaged 7 yards per carry in the season opener.
Injury updates and betting odds
Ohio State is expected to have Alabama transfer Qua Russaw available for the game, according to On3's Pete Nakos, as reported by Heavy. Ohio State wide receiver Kyle Parker is likely to miss the matchup. Texas left guard Laurence Seymore is listed as probable, while third-string running back Derrek Cooper is questionable after an ankle injury.
Texas opened as a slight favorite. The Arizona Republic lists the moneyline at Ohio State +100 and Texas -120, with the spread at Ohio State 5 (-110) and Texas 5 (-108). FanDuel has Texas as a 1.5-point home favorite, per Heavy.
Predictions and analyst picks
The consensus among several outlets leans toward Texas. The Arizona Republic, along with multiple USA TODAY Network papers, predicts Texas 24, Ohio State 21. CBS Sports predicts Texas 45, Ohio State 35, citing Texas's new additions and Manning's development. Dimers.com, a sports betting analytics site, predicts a 26-25 Texas win based on 10,000 simulations, according to cleveland.com. Polymarket traders are currently favoring Texas, cleveland.com reported.
ESPN's College GameDay, on hand in Austin on Saturday morning, featured predictions from its panel, according to Sports Illustrated. Desmond Howard picked Texas, saying, "This is the moment we've been waiting for for Sarkisian and that coaching staff." Pat McAfee picked Texas, saying, "Give me Arch Manning and (Cam) Coleman to get a huge win today." Celebrity guest picker Glen Powell picked Texas, saying, "I believe in the Texas team... I believe in Arch." Nick Saban also picked Texas: "I think Ohio State's number one for good reason... But I think Texas has done all the things that they need to do to take it to the next level." Kirk Herbstreit did not make an official prediction on set because he is calling the game for ESPN on ABC.