Bookmaker  -1 -110

Posted at 8:00 AM ET. Odds are subject to change

OHIO STATE -1 over Texas

Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH

12:00 PM ET. The marquee game of opening weekend pits #1 Texas against defending champion #2 Ohio State at The Horseshoe, a rematch of last year’s semifinal in Dallas. It is the rare scenario where the top-ranked team in the country opened as an underdog. That alone speaks volumes.

The market has gravitated toward Texas, hammering the Longhorns from +3 down to +1. They are the most heavily bet side of the Saturday slate. That sort of consensus often proves costly. Much of the hype stems from Arch Manning stepping into the starting role, yet his résumé consists largely of mop-up duty and a handful of starts against non-threats. He has never played four quarters in a hostile road environment, and Columbus offers no grace period.

Ohio State counters with the two most impactful players in the country. Caleb Downs is a game-changer on defense and special teams, while freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith steps into the spotlight against a Texas secondary that lost both of its All-Americans to the NFL. Smith’s talent is undeniable, and all quarterback Julian Sayin has to do is get him the football.

Texas carries the name recognition and ranking, while Ohio State carries the actual advantage. The Buckeyes are undervalued at home in a game where the market has been misled by polls and headlines. Lay the small number.

Take advantage of BET365's early MLB payout offer! 

For straight bets, if the team you back to win goes 5 runs ahead at any stage during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full regardless of whether the opposition comes back to win the game.

For parlays and Same Game Parlays, if a team you have backed goes 5 runs ahead, this selection will be marked as won within My Bets, with the remaining selections left to run.

Here is a wager we were paid out early on that would eventually lose. 

v