Ohio State will begin its title defense against a familiar foe. On Saturday afternoon, Texas will travel to Columbus for a showdown with the defending champion Buckeyes. In a high-stakes rematch of last season’s Cotton Bowl, who will step up? These are the best college football player props to consider at DraftKings Sportsbook for the Week 1 matchup between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Ohio State enters this contest as 1.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 46.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Texas vs. Ohio State best prop bets
Arch Manning 235 + passing yards (-115)
The biggest storyline entering this game might not be the defending champs. Arch Manning heads into 2025 as the betting favorite (+700) to win the Heisman trophy. That’s partially due to the prestigious last name on the back of his jersey. However, the former five-star prospect has shown he can dominate at the collegiate level. In two games as a starter in 2024, the then-freshman threw for 583 yards and four touchdowns to just two interceptions. He’s also a sneaky-good rusher, gaining 4.3 yards per carry last season.
The caveat to Manning’s two games as a starter? They came against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State. Saturday’s matchup presents a whole different kind of challenge. Ohio State held opponents to just 87.9 rushing yards per game last season, third-lowest in the nation. Granted, the Buckeyes did lose plenty of players to the NFL. Still, this group is a good bet to remain formidable against opposing running backs. In addition, Texas lost offensive line talent as well, including first-round pick Kelvin Banks Jr. Long story short, Manning might need to sling the ball in this one.
In each of their final three games last season, the Buckeyes surrendered at least 255 passing yards. That includes a 283-yard performance from then-Texas QB Quinn Ewers. Barring awful OSU run defense, Manning could be forced into a productive day through the air.
Carnell Tate 50+ receiving yards (-123)
Few players boosted their stock during last season’s playoffs like Jeremiah Smith. Granted, anyone who followed college football already knew the freshman was special. However, a combined 381 receiving yards and five touchdowns in five games put the entire college football world on notice. If there was one outlier to Smith’s dream season, it was his one-catch, three-yard showing in the Cotton Bowl. Although Ohio State won anyways, Texas’ defensive scheme clearly caused some problems.
Don’t expect another silent outing from #4 on Saturday afternoon. Still, Longhorns defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski has proven he can take Smith out of Ohio State’s game plan. If the Buckeyes are forced to look elsewhere in the passing game, Carnell Tate could be poised for a big game. The junior was solid last season, notching 733 yards on 52 catches. That included an 87-yard night against Texas in the Cotton Bowl. In five of Tate’s final eight games, he reached 50 receiving yards. Don’t be shocked if OSU’s number two makes a name for himself with a few big plays.
