Get ready for a colossal Week 1 showdown! Two college football giants, Texas and Ohio State, are set to collide. SportsLine’s top expert, Bruce Marshall, has crunched the numbers and found a critical X-factor that could sway the entire game. Will Arch Manning lead the Longhorns to an upset, or will Jeremiah Smith and the Buckeyes dominate at home?

The college football landscape is set for an electrifying start to the 2025 season with a colossal Week 1 clash between perennial powerhouses, the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes. This monumental encounter features two of the sport’s most storied programs vying for early dominance, setting the tone for their national championship aspirations.

Scheduled as only the second matchup in AP history pitting top-three ranked teams against each other in a season opener, this game carries immense significance. Last season’s CFP semifinals saw Ohio State emerge victorious over Texas with a 28-14 score, leveling their all-time series at two wins apiece, intensifying the stakes for this highly anticipated rematch.

Texas arrives with a new signal-caller in Arch Manning, who enters the season as the +700 Heisman betting favorite, signaling high expectations for the young quarterback. However, Manning faces a significant challenge, having never started a road game nor attempted a pass in an away stadium in his college career, a formidable hurdle against a Buckeyes defense renowned for its stifling play.

Opposing Manning is Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, whose impressive talent places him fourth in the Heisman betting odds at +1100, trailing only Manning, Cade Klubnik, and Garrett Nussmeier. The Buckeyes boast an formidable record, having won 25 consecutive season openers, while the Longhorns have notched 11 straight road victories, setting the stage for a clash of streaks.

Kickoff is slated for noon ET at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes are currently favored by 1 point in the latest Texas vs. Ohio State odds, with the over/under for total points scored having shifted to 47.5 after opening at 50.5. These betting odds reflect the expected tight contest and the defensive prowess of both teams.

Renowned Vegas-based expert Bruce Marshall, a veteran analyst from The Gold Sheet, brings his sharp insights to this matchup. With a stellar 2024 college football picks record of 64-43-3, returning a substantial 16.24 units to $100 players, Marshall is SportsLine’s top expert, making his predictions highly sought after for this critical game.

Marshall’s deep analysis of the Ohio State vs. Texas game reveals a leaning towards the Under on the total, indicating an expectation of a lower-scoring affair. Furthermore, he has identified a critical X-factor that he believes will decisively influence the outcome against the spread, providing a unique perspective for bettors and fans alike.

Ohio State’s recent dominance under coach Ryan Day, with a 37-3 straight-up record in home games since 2019, underscores the challenge for Texas. Conversely, the Buckeyes face their own adjustments, having lost 14 players to the NFL Draft, including four first-rounders, a significant turnover that could impact their early-season performance, especially with a new quarterback.

The Longhorns’ defensive unit, which led FBS in scoring defense and pass defense last season, allowing just 5.7 yards per attempt and recording 22 defensive interceptions, presents a formidable obstacle for Ohio State’s new quarterback. This premier defense is poised to test the Buckeyes’ revamped offensive line and new leadership under center.