Texas vs. Ohio State odds: Longhorns favored as Big Ten's No. 1 visits Austin

No. 4 Texas hosts No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC, and Kalshi traders have the Longhorns favored at 52% as of this writing. Both teams enter 1-0. Texas throttled Texas State 59-7 in its opener, and Ohio State routed Ball State 56-3.

This is the third straight season the two programs have met, and Ohio State has won the last two meetings, including a 14-7 win in Columbus in last year's season opener and a 28-14 victory in the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinal. Both teams enter Saturday as leading contenders for this year's playoff field, and a win would be an early signature result for either side's resume.

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Kalshi traders have Texas priced at 52% to beat Ohio State, a narrow edge that reflects home-field advantage more than a clear talent gap between two teams that opened as near-even in the preseason futures market. Both sides cleared their Week 1 tests comfortably, but Ohio State's average scoring margin against Ball State outpaced Texas's against Texas State, which may explain why the number hasn't moved further toward the home team.

Texas left tackle Trevor Goosby played through a bone bruise in his left knee in the opener against Texas State, appearing on a limited snap count after MRI results in August raised doubts about his availability. He's expected to return to his full workload protecting Arch Manning's blindside this week, a notable boost up front for a Texas offensive line that struggled to open running lanes against the Bobcats.

Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith is looking to score his first touchdown against Texas in three career tries against the Longhorns, having gone without one in both the 2024 Cotton Bowl semifinal and last year's season opener despite drawing heavy target share in both games. Quarterback Julian Sayin said Texas mixed coverages and doubled Smith in last year's meeting rather than any single tactic fully shutting him down.

Both offenses were efficient in Week 1: Arch Manning completed 20 of 27 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns, while Sayin completed 21 of 25 for 320 yards and three scores. Texas forced three turnovers behind new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, and Ohio State's defense limited Ball State to a single field goal, suggesting both units should be tested for the first time this season by an offense with real firepower.

Texas winning by more than 1.5 points is priced at 52% on Kalshi as of this writing, putting the margin market almost exactly at a coin flip.

The market has the game going over 49.5 combined points priced at 54%, an even split that reflects two defenses that were stingy in Week 1 against lesser competition.

Ohio State is priced at 13% to win the College Football Playoff National Championship, tops among all teams in the field, while Texas sits further down the board at 10%. Kalshi traders have both programs among the top six national title contenders, with Ohio State's number ticking up over the summer as Notre Dame's has slipped.

Ohio State is priced at 48% to win the Big Ten Championship, well clear of Indiana at 22% and Oregon at 16% as the conference favorite. A road loss to a ranked SEC opponent this early would be a notable dent to that number, even against a non-conference team.

Kalshi markets now predict:

When is Ohio State vs. Texas? The game kicks off Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Where is the game? Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.

How can I watch? The game airs on ABC.

What is Kalshi traders' current number? Kalshi traders have Texas priced at 52% and Ohio State at 48% as of this writing.

Texas enters as a slight home favorite over Ohio State, with both unbeaten teams carrying real College Football Playoff stakes into their third straight meeting.

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