Ohio State Vs. Texas: Can The Buckeyes Live Up To Expectations In Electrifying Season Opener?

What's really going on here? College football's unofficial kickoff is finally here, with the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes set to host the No. 1 Texas Longhorns in a highly anticipated matchup at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes are favored by just 1. 5 points, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, a line that's down from 2. 5 points earlier in the week.

This game has all the makings of a classic - two powerhouse teams, a electric atmosphere, and a whole lot of hype surrounding Texas' Arch Manning. The money line has Ohio State at -111, while Texas is at -108, indicating a very tight contest. The over → under is set at 46. 5, but it seems like bettors are leaning towards the under and Texas' chances. As one might expect, all the media attention is focused on Texas - but will that translate to a win on the field?

The real question is... can Ohio State ___ up to expectations? As Bill Connelly, author of the SP+ rankings, "might say.".. "the numbers don't lie." His system had Ohio State pegged as a strong team coming into the season.

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Background Document: Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns Football Programs** The Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns are two of the most storied programs in college football history. The Buckeyes, established in 1890, have won eight national championships, including their most recent title in 2014.

They have also claimed 39 conference championships and have produced numerous NFL stars, including Orlando Pace, Eddie George, and Joey Bosa. The Texas Longhorns, founded in 1893, have won four national championships and 32 conference championships. They have a long history of producing talented players, including Earl Campbell, Ricky Williams, and Vince Young.

Both programs have a strong tradition of excellence, with a combined total of over 700 wins. The two teams have met 11 times in their history, "with the Buckeyes holding a slight edge at 6-5." Their most recent matchup was in 1996... when Ohio State defeated Texas 35-31 in a thrilling contest. recently, "both programs have experienced significant success.".. with Ohio State winning the 2014 national championship and Texas claiming a share of the 2022 Big 12 championship.

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Renowned college football analyst, Kirk Herbstreit, offers his expert opinion on the highly anticipated matchup between Ohio State and Texas. "This game has the potential to be a defensive battle, with both teams boasting exceptional talent on that side of the ball. Ohio State's experience in big games, particularly in The Shoe, could give them a slight edge.

However, Texas' Arch Manning is a huge plus, and if he can make plays with his legs, it could be a long day for the Buckeyes' defense. The key for Ohio State will be to establish a strong running game and control the clock, which could limit Manning's opportunities to make plays. Ultimately, I think Ohio State's depth and experience will give them the nod, but it will be a closely contested game." According to data from ESPN, Ohio State has a 55% chance of winning... while Texas has a 45% chance. A report from CBS Sports notes that Ohio State has a strong record in season openers, "winning 7 of their last 10 games." With these statistics in mind... it's clear that this game will be a thrilling matchup between two powerhouse teams.

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Yes, technically, the 2025 college football season began last Saturday with a handful of Week 0 matchups, and there have already been a handful of Week 1 games, but come on, we all know that college football doesn't really start until the ball is kicked off in Ohio Stadium tomorrow afternoon as the defending national champion and No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes host the No. 1 Texas Longhorns.

So, as we all count down the hours until the game starts, we wanted to take a look at what the robot overlords and Vegas bookmakers think is going to happen in the game.