Ohio State Football: Early Betting Odds and 2026 Schedule Analysis

As the anticipation builds for the 2026 college football season, the Ohio State Buckeyes are already a focal point of betting action. Despite a strong showing in national championship wagering, currently topping most major sportsbooks like FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars, the Buckeyes find themselves as underdogs in a key early matchup against the Texas Longhorns.

Buckeyes Open as Underdogs Against Texas

According to early betting odds released by FanDuel on January 30, 2026, Ohio State is a 2.5-point underdog against Texas in their September 12th game. This marks a shift from the 2025 season opener where Ohio State was favored by 1.5 points and secured a 14-7 victory. The 2026 contest will be held at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium, where the Buckeyes hold a 1-1 all-time record.

2026 Betting Odds: A Snapshot

Here’s a look at the betting landscape as of January 30, 2026:

FanDuel

• Ohio State: +144 (Moneyline)
• Over/Under: 47.5 points

Current National Championship Odds (January 30, 2026)

• FanDuel: Ohio State +550
• BetMGM: Ohio State +600
• DraftKings: Ohio State +700
• Caesars: Ohio State +550

Recent History as an Underdog

Interestingly, Ohio State hadn’t been an underdog since their November 25, 2023, meeting against Michigan, where they lost 30-24 on the road.

2026 Ohio State Football Schedule

Here’s a look at the Buckeyes’ schedule for the 2026 season (all times TBD):

• Sept. 5: vs. Ball State
• Sept. 12: at Texas
• Sept. 19: vs. Kent State
• Sept. 26: vs. Illinois
• Oct. 3: at Iowa
• Oct. 10: vs. Maryland
• Oct. 17: at Indiana
• Oct. 24: OFF
• Oct. 31: at USC
• Nov. 7: vs. Oregon
• Nov. 14: vs. Northwestern
• Nov. 21: at Nebraska
• Nov. 28: vs. Michigan

Disclaimer: Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds you can comfortably afford to lose. Information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.