HORNS DOWN
Ohio State defends the Shoe, beats Texas 14-7 in the 2025 season opener.
Game day has finally arrived.
After capturing last season's national title - the school's first since 2014 - basking in the glow, then subsequently turning full focus to spring ball, summer workouts and fall camp, Ryan Day's Ohio State Buckeyes are now finally slated to begin the 2025 schedule.
Interestingly enough, the season opener comes against a No. 1 ranked Texas program the Buckeyes disposed of in last year's CFP semifinal game before holding off Notre Dame to claim the natty.
Of course, both squads lost a lot of guys to the NFL so while it's odd Ohio State is again playing Texas so quickly, it's hard to call it a rematch.
Nevertheless, both teams are loaded with talent - some guys more proven than others - and the expectation is for both to be in the CFP hunt once again. Starting off the season with an instant resume booster is the goal for both Day and his Texas counterpart, Steve Sarkisian.
So how does the 11W staff see this one shaking out? Let's get to it.
Score Predictions
Andy Anders — Texas 27, Ohio State 24: This is a very difficult game to predict with so many new starters on both sides. I’m only taking Texas due to the adjustment period of two new coordinators on Ohio State’s side of the football and its fearsome pass rush against the Buckeyes’ uncertain tackle position, but could easily see this game going any number of directions.
Chase Brown — Ohio State 27, Texas 24: Arch Manning this, Arch Manning that. Ohio State has the two best players in college football in Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs. Those Buckeyes will make enough plays to send the Longhorns home with a loss.
George Eisner — Texas 21, Ohio State 17: Difficult to feel confident in either side given the mutual roster turnover, new quarterbacks and first game of the season. On paper, it feels like Texas has more flexibility in terms of paths to victory, while Ohio State probably needs a hectic shootout and can’t afford to take its foot off the gas.
Jack Emerson — Ohio State 21, Texas 17: Growing pains will be on display for both the Buckeyes and the Longhorns on Saturday, with both teams breaking in new pieces on both sides of the ball. I haven’t fully bought into the Arch hype quite yet and expect the Buckeye defense and Ohio Stadium crowd to give him some trouble on Saturday.
Matt Gutridge — Ohio State 20, Texas 17: Ohio State hasn’t lost a season-opening game since dropping the Kickoff Classic against the Miami Hurricanes in 1999. When was the last time Ohio State lost the season’s first game when playing in Ohio Stadium? 1978 to No. 5 Penn State. Hoping the Buckeyes stay undefeated this century in season openers as they face the No. 1 team in the country to start a season for the first time in program history
Garrick Hodge — Ohio State 27, Texas 24: Should be an epic game that comes down to the final possession. I just think having the game’s two biggest stars on both sides of the ball will lift the Buckeyes to a win when all is said and done.
Dan Hope — Texas 27, Ohio State 24: Neither Ohio State nor Texas has won back-to-back games against the other, and my gut says that continues on Saturday. Replacing 14 NFL draft picks with two new coordinators and a quarterback with minimal experience will cause some growing pains for Ohio State in the season opener, and Arch Manning has just enough experience alongside the rest of Texas’ talent to give the Longhorns the edge.
Kyle Jones — Ohio State 21, Texas 17: The Buckeyes cover in a low-scoring game where both offenses struggle early. The home team makes more plays in the second half thanks to its talented pass catchers, while Arch Manning throws a back-breaking INT late to seal the win for Ohio State.
Chris Lauderback — Ohio State 24, Texas 20: I won't be the least beat surprised if Ohio State loses by a similar score but I think one long TD from the offense and stout red zone play from the defense allows the Buckeyes to prevail at home.
Ramzy Nasrallah — Ohio State 28, Texas 14: Nine months later, we get the same outcome. Longhorns' greatest strength cannot accommodate for Julian Sayin's processing speed and receiving options.
Josh Poloha — Ohio State 24, Texas 21: The biggest season opener ever. Ohio State's first game since winning the national championship. Ban Noon Kickoffs forever, but give me the Buckeyes at home in what is expected to be a classic between two teams with so much talent yet plenty of unknowns, too. Oh, and look for the best player in college football to prove a point Saturday afternoon in The Shoe after the Longhorns held Jeremiah Smith to just one catch for three yards in the Cotton Bowl last season.
Jason Priestas — Ohio State 31, Texas 27: We’re treated to an outstanding show from two of the best teams in college football as Ohio State and the home crowd are just enough to pull out the W.
Jordan Raines — Ohio State 21, Texas 17: As two blue blood programs debut rebuilt offenses in Week One, expect a defensive slugfest sprinkled with flashes of offensive brilliance on both sides. In the end, BIA and an electric atmosphere in the ‘Shoe allow Ryan Day and Co. to accomplish priority #1: ‘Win the game.’
Will Ohio State Cover?
At home in The Shoe, the Buckeyes were modest 1.5-point favorites over the Longhorns for much of the week but on Friday, it seems a lot of money started coming in on Texas as the lines shifted across many of the most popular online sportsbooks with a general consensus emerging as the burnt orange and white favored by 1.5 points although Ohio State was still a 1-point favorite on BetMGM as of early this morning.
Against that backdrop, 10 of 13 staffers here at Eleven Warriors have the Buckeyes winning and therefore covering in a mild upset while Dan, Andy and George all have Ohio State losing by three, three and four points, respectively.
What About the Over/Under?
The over/under for this matchup, as you'd expect with both teams breaking in new starting quarterbacks along with a host of other starters thanks to all those NFL Draft departures, while boasting a lot of defensive talent, sits at a pretty low 47.5 points. The staff was nearly evenly split on how the over/under falls. Six staffers, led by Jason's 58 total points took the over while seven have the under, with Matt's 37 total points on the low end. Four others have the total coming in at 38 points.
Eleven Warriors Prop Bets
So what about the prop bets? Obviously player prop bets are illegal in many states because too many dummies feel the need to take their losing bets out on the athletes but here's a sampling of the action out there for the states allowing it.
-
How many passing yards will Julian Sayin have?
- Over 235.5 (-110)
- Under 235.5 (-110)
-
How many passing yards will Arch Manning have?
- Over 235.5 (-115)
- Under 235.5 (-105)
-
How many receiving yards will Jeremiah Smith have?
- Over 89.5 (-105)
- Under 89.5 (+105)
-
How many receiving yards will Carnell Tate have?
- Over 50.5 (-110)
- Under 50.5 (-110)
-
How many receiving yards with Ryan Wingo have?
- Over 50.5 (-115)
- Under 50.5 (-105)
-
How many rushing yards will James Peoples have?
- Over 59.5 (+135)
- Under 59.5 (-130)
-
How many rushing yards will Quintrevion Wisner have?
- Over 59.5 (+100)
- Under 59.5 (-110)
