The official betting lines for Ohio State vs. Ball State ahead of week one of the college football season.
College football is officially back as week zero wrapped up this past weekend, setting the table for week one of the 2026 season.
For Ohio State, this season gets off to a much more manageable start than last year. Just one year ago, the Buckeyes opened the year against the then No. 1-ranked Texas Longhorns inside Ohio Stadium.
That rematch gets to wait one more week as both teams get a bit of a warm-up game to get it all going. On the Buckeyes' side, their opponent at the beginning of this season is the Ball State Cardinals.
Ball State comes into the season off a 4-8 season in which they missed the postseason and finished 10th in the MAC. It was a tough go for them on the road, as they finished with a 0-7 record on the road, right where they will start the 2026 year.
It's no surprise to anyone that the line makers in Vegas are heavily on the Buckeyes. As week one opens, the Buckeyes are 50.5-point favorites against the Cardinals, with the over/under set at 56.5.
Ohio State is eight score favorites in this game, and it is the biggest spread of the entire week. The next closest to it are the Oklahoma versus UTEP and Texas A&M vs. Missouri State games, which are both 41.5-point spreads.
Ohio State's week two opponent, the Texas Longhorns, are just 30.5-point favorites against the Texas State Wildcats. A little bit tighter a spread than what is being seen all around the country.
Ohio State comes into the season with something to prove, and unfortunately, the Cardinals are the first speed bump in the road. A game like this is hardly a statement in the right direction.
One of two things can happen. It is either they blow out the opponent and basically check the box on a job well done, or it is closer than it should be and it sticks in people's minds all year long.
There is hardly any goodwill that comes from a game like this, but regardless, the Buckeyes need to and will take care of business.
Last year, the Buckeyes only scored over 50 points one time all year, and that was in their week two game against Grambling State. Against the Ohio Bobcats in week three, they only won 37-9.
However, in the last 10 years against MAC schools, the Buckeyes are a clean 7-0 with a margin of victory of 54.1 points per game. The highest difference in that span was a 71-point win over Miami (Ohio), while the closest margin was just 28 points last year against Ohio.
The Buckeyes are massive favorites and for good reason. They have something to prove this year, and they need to get their year off on the right foot.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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