Overview

• The noon ET kickoff at Ohio Stadium airs on Fox, the first Texas–Ohio State game in Columbus in 20 years.
• Ohio State starts Julian Sayin in his collegiate debut as quarterbacks making their first start vs an AP No. 1 are 0-16 since 2010, while Arch Manning makes his first road start for Texas.
• Sportsbooks list Ohio State around -1.5 with a total near 47.5, and multiple analysts highlight the under as a value play.
• The line tightened from an opening Buckeyes -3 as public money leaned Texas, reflecting debate between poll position and home-field metrics.
• Ohio State enters with major turnover and new coordinators Brian Hartline and Matt Patricia, and an SEC officiating crew is assigned as College GameDay hosts Lee Corso’s farewell and the Buckeyes release a Jack Sawyer–narrated hype video.