The college football season may have just wrapped up, but fans are already buzzing about what’s to come in 2025. Ohio State, fresh off its first national title since 2014, is set to open the next campaign against the Texas Longhorns, and early betting lines are already in.
Despite plenty of offseason changes expected on both sidelines, oddsmakers have given the edge to the reigning champions, marking the Buckeyes as 4.5-point favorites over Texas. While the game is months away, the line reflects the dominance Ohio State displayed during their playoff surge.
The Buckeyes capped off their season with a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame in the National Championship Game, a fitting conclusion to a campaign filled with adversity. Their ability to peak at just the right time turned a challenging season into one for the record books.
Meanwhile, Texas finds itself in a more uncertain position heading into 2025. With standout quarterback Quinn Ewers officially declaring for the NFL Draft, the Longhorns will rely heavily on their highly touted prospect, Arch Manning, to lead the charge. Manning, who is expected to take the reins, faces the tall task of competing against a seasoned Ohio State squad that boasts returning talent from its championship roster.
Who will be QB1 for Ohio St?
Ohio State, however, isn’t without its own looming questions. The team is likely to lose starting quarterback Will Howard to the draft, adding intrigue to how their offense will adapt. Even so, the program’s depth and momentum from a title-winning campaign have kept confidence high in Columbus.
While these early odds offer a glimpse into how the teams are shaping up, the offseason could shift the landscape dramatically. Coaching adjustments, roster moves, and breakout performances from new players are sure to influence expectations before kickoff in September.
For now, though, the Buckeyes are poised to begin the 2025 season the same way they ended 2024: as the team to beat.