Ohio State Buckeyes Future Odds
Considering The Departure of Key Performers, Expectations Remain High
Harrison, Eichenberg Returns Give Buckeyes Top Players On Both Sides of the Ball
It will be business as usual for the Ohio State football team even with quarterback C.J. Stroud, offensive lineman Paris Johnson and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba all going in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Ohio State Buckeyes future odds have the Buckeyes very much in play for a spot in the College Football Playoff field.
With one conference game and a trip to Notre Dame before the end of September and it won’t take very long to see where this Oho State team stands in the title chase.
Ohio State (+110) is just ahead of Michigan in the odds to win the Big Ten East Division title and the Buckeyes (+160) are also the top choice to win the conference title.
When looking at the NCAAF scores, Ohio State won its first 11 games all by double digits before falling to Michigan and then losing a thriller to Georgia in the CFP semifinals.
Ohio State covered against the college football point spreads just six times during the 2022 NCAAF season. Ten of the Buckeyes’ last 11 games in 2022 finished over the total.
Who Is Leading the Offense?
The list of Ohio State quarterbacks in recent years is pretty impressive with Stroud following current Chicago Bears starter Justin Fields who followed Dwayne Haskins. Now Stroud leaves some big shoes to fill with Kyle McCord and Devin Brown fighting it out for the top spot.
Whoever gets the job will be throwing the ball early and often to Marvin Harrison Jr., a receiver also being touted as an elite NFL draft prospect. Harrison is priced at +2500 in the Heisman Trophy odds, the best mark for a non-quarterback.
He has the third-best odds to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Both players ahead of him are quarterback so if the team with the top pick already has its quarterback, it is possible that Harrison could be the first receiver taken first overall since Keyshawn Johnson in 1996.
Emeka Egbuka also had more than 1000 receiving yards a season ago. TreVeyon Henderson, who was limited to eight games during an injury-plagued 2023 season, ran for more than 1000 yards as a freshman while Miyan Williams did just fine as the lead back with Henderson limited for much of last season.
Ohio State put together a top five recruiting class with the top three incoming freshmen being receivers Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss and Noah Rogers while tight end Jelani Thurman is another pass catcher to keep an eye on. With this much talent, it is no wonder that the Ohio State Buckeyes future odds are so impressive.
Lorenzo Styles, who had 30 catches last season at Notre Dame, is another receiver who could make an impact.
Ohio State used the transfer portal to add more playmakers on defense with Ole Miss cornerback Davison Igbinosun, Syracuse safety Ja’Had Carter and Ole Miss defensive lineman Tywone Malone all expected to contribute immediately.
Linebacker Tommy Eichenburg is back to lead the defense after leading the Buckeyes with 120 tackles. Steele Chambers (77 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions) is also back.
Michael Hall, Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau are the top returnees up front. Denzel Burke could be one of the nation’s best cornerbacks with Lathan Ranson and Josh Proctor giving the Buckeyes a pair of experienced safeties.
National Championship Odds: Buckeyes Going For It All
It has been nearly a decade since Ohio State last won a national title and the Buckeyes are certainly among the teams expected to be in contention for the four spots in the College Football Playoffs. That is evident when looking at the Ohio State Buckeyes future odds.
Games against Notre Dame, Penn State and Michigan could either make or break the Buckeyes’ championship aspirations.
Conference Odds: The Buckeyes Are The One
Playing in a conference and a division with three of the top seven teams in the two major national polls doesn’t leave much margin for error.
Ohio State has the best odds to win both the Big Ten East Division title and the Big Ten title. However, Michigan is ahead of Ohio State in both national polls as the Wolverines are second in both the Associated Press and coaches’ polls. Penn State is also in the top 10 in both polls.
The NCAAF standings had Ohio State with an 11-2 record and that included an 8-1 mark in conference play. The Buckeyes are looking to top those numbers in 2023.
Regular Season Wins: Lofty Goals for Talent-Laden Buckeyes
Even with some key players heading to the NFL, this is one of the most talented rosters in the country. The price is set at -110 for Ohio State to go over 10.5 wins and -120 to finish under the total.
The Sept. 23 matchup at Notre Dame, Oct. 21 home date with Penn State and trip to Michigan for the Nov. 25 regular-season finale will ultimately dictate how successful of a regular season it will be for Ohio State.
Things begin with a Big Ten showdown with Indiana on Sept. 2 with Ohio State favored by 28 points.
To Make the Playoffs: Ohio State Ready to Seal The Deal
Ohio State is left with thoughts of what might have been. A touchdown with 54 seconds to play lifted Georgia past Ohio State in the semifinals. Seeing Georgia dismantle TCU in the national championship game had to sting for the Buckeyes.
They get the chance to finish things this season. Ohio State is third in the Associated Press Top 25 poll and fourth in the coaches poll so the Buckeyes are in position to make a run at the national title.
For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
