It would normally be hyperbolic to say a Week 1 game will be the biggest of the regular season, but we should not expect another No. 1 vs. No. 3 matchup like we are getting from the Texas Longhorns and Ohio State Buckeyes right out of the gates.
FOX is where you'll find live coverage following kickoff at Noon ET.
My Texas vs. Ohio State predictions and college football picks for Saturday, August 30 put trust in the more stable Longhorns roster and coaching staff, no matter how talented both teams inarguably are.
Texas vs Ohio State prediction
Texas vs Ohio State Best bet: Texas moneyline (+100 at FanDuel)
This is not a bet on the Texas Longhorns so much as it is a bet against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Every level of the Longhorns' defense warrants national praise, and you may have heard of their quarterback, some guy named Arch Manning.
Texas deserves much of the hype it has gotten, even if some of the “Arch Manning for Heisman” thought process is outright foolish.
But the focus in this matchup is on the inflated belief in Ohio State. The Buckeyes put together one of the most dominant Playoff runs we will ever see to win last year’s national championship. They were led by an underappreciated and physical quarterback, effectively complementing a defense that was not praised enough.
That defense is gone. It returns exactly three starters, including none along the defensive line. Diabolical defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is gone, off to my national-title pick Penn State. Ryan Day replaced arguably the best defensive coordinator in the country with Matt Patricia, who has not been an effective on-field coach in nearly a decade.
A first-time starting quarterback with a first-time offensive coordinator should not be asked to pick up that slack in Week 1, certainly not against a team of Texas’s quality.
My hot take for the 2025 college football season: Ohio State misses the College Football Playoff and it is all because of that school up north. https://t.co/Nx4XRBQh0M pic.twitter.com/T5YRu6dNRV
— Douglas Farmer (@D_Farmer) August 27, 2025
Texas vs Ohio State same-game parlay
Ohio State's defense will regress in 2025, but it will still be quite good. All-American safety Caleb Downs is reason enough to trust it, not to mention veteran linebacker Sonny Styles.
Expect Texas quarterback Arch Manning to be coached to not lose this game, to tuck and run when need be, and to create fit problems for Matt Patricia's defense. Quintrevion Wisner should benefit from said fit problems.
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Our deep-ball SGP: Texas wins with defense
Texas's defensive line should create early pressure on Ohio State freshman quarterback Julian Sayin. Until Ryan Day finds a halftime adjustment, the Buckeyes' offense should be stuck in neutral.
Texas vs Ohio State game predictions
Texas vs Ohio State moneyline prediction
Would Ohio State fans boo Ryan Day if losing by 10 points at halftime in the first game after winning a national championship? Honestly, let’s find out. Call it a psychological experiment.
Texas vs Ohio State spread prediction
Texas is the better team. Not enough credence is being given to Steve Sarkisian’s recruiting in recent years, at worst No. 4 in the country when combining the last five classes, higher if focusing on only the last four. That is the kind of roster depth needed to go on the road against the defending national champions and leave with a win.
Texas vs Ohio State total prediction
Take the Under. Sarkisian should be better about converting quality drives than he has been the last two seasons — that is where Arch Manning’s mobility will be most vital — but it is still enough of a Longhorns’ worry to expect a lost opportunity or two.
Texas vs Ohio State odds
- Texas vs. Ohio State spread: Ohio State -1.5
- Texas vs. Ohio State moneyline: Texas +100, Ohio State -120
- Texas vs. Ohio State Over/Under: 47.5
Texas vs Ohio State betting trend to know
Texas has gone 3-0 against the spread in its first game against a Power Five opponent in each of the last three seasons. Those opponents? Alabama, Alabama, and Michigan. Find more college football betting trends for Texas vs Ohio State.
How to watch Texas vs Ohio State
| Location | Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH |
| Date | Saturday, August 30, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 12:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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