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The Betting Line For Texas vs. Ohio State Has Already Changed

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Jan 2, 2025 10:28 AM ET

Two things tend to seriously change bettors' perspectives on college football teams: Blowout wins in close matchups and close wins in projected blowouts. We had one of each yesterday as Ohio State annihilated Oregon mere hours after Texas won a squeaker against Arizona State and now the betting lines have shifted pretty noticeably.

According to ESPN gambling analyst David Payne Purdum, the betting line on the Ohio State-Texas matchup in next week's Cotton Bowl Classic has already shifted significantly in the Buckeyes' favor. Purdum analyzed multiple sports books and found that the consensus line of Buckeyes -4.5 had shifted several points and was now between -6 to -6.5 in Ohio State's favor.

"Consensus line: Ohio State -6, 53.5 vs. Texas. Lookahead line had the Buckeyes -1.5. Line opened at Ohio St as low as -4.5. Has grown quickly to as high as -6.5," Purdum wrote on X.

Consensus line: Ohio State -6, 53.5 vs. Texas.

Lookahead line had the Buckeyes -1.5. Line opened at Ohio St as low as -4.5. Has grown quickly to as high as -6.5.
— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) January 2, 2025

Given that the game is in Dallas - right in the Longhorns' backyard practically - fans on social media have been downright shocked. But after seeing how the Buckeyes manhandled the Ducks, many are arguing that the line is still too short:

"lol no way Texas was going to be favorite," one user wrote.

"Should be Ohio State -11.5," another remarked.

"very soft line. Will end closer to 6.5," a third said yesterday.

Texas were favored by 12.5 points against Arizona State in yesterday's Peach Bowl but blew a two-score fourth quarter lead and ultimately needed two overtime periods to put the Sun Devils away and win 39-31.

Ohio State, on the other hand, treated No. 1 Oregon - the Big Ten champions who had beaten them two months prior - like an FCS school, racing out to a 34-0 lead in the first half and effectively taking the second half off in a 41-21 win.

The Buckeyes are now more than just the favorites against Texas, they're favored to win the entire College Football Playoff. In fact, some analysts like Dan Orlovsky are going so far as to say that they're now expected to win it all.

The line in this game will be one to keep an eye on.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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