Updated odds released for key Ohio State games after spring ball

As spring football practices around the country wrap up, coaches and fans alike have a little better idea what to expect from their teams next fall. So do the oddsmakers, who have released updated lines for some key Ohio State games this fall.

Unsurprisingly, the Buckeyes will be favored in most.

But in the massive rivalry showdown with Michigan, oddsmakers at FanDuel are predicting an almost dead-down-the-middle split. Ohio State is currently a one-point underdog in the game.

Several other games have Ohio State installed as a considerable favorite, though, including some marquee conference matchups.

Ohio State is listed as a 10.5-point favorite at Notre Dame, a 10.5-point favorite against Penn State and a whopping 23.5-point favorite over Michigan State.

The Buckeyes won all three of those key Ohio State games by double digits in 2022.

Unlike last season, though, Ohio State will get some time to get settled before facing its first marquee opponent, with a road trip to Notre Dame not due up until Week 4 of the college football season.

That should give the Buckeyes time to iron out some major unsolved issues, not the least of which is who the team’s starting quarterback will be. During spring ball Kyle McCord battled with Devin Brown for the gig, but the competition is likely to last well into fall camp, if not the season.

Whoever takes the gig will have some big shoes to fill.

Quarterback CJ Stroud finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2022 after throwing for 3,688 yards and 41 touchdowns with only six interceptions. Stroud is expected to go in the top five picks in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.

The good news is Ohio State’s new quarterback will have the luxury of throwing to one of the most talented receiver groups in the country, led by Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Ebuka.

Ohio State reached the College Football Playoffs in 2022 in part because it was able to win big games against quality opponents.

After dispatching Notre Dame 21-10 in the season opener, Ohio State trounced Michigan State 49-20 in the middle of the season. The second most tricky test of the season came a few weeks later, on the road at Penn State.

In that game, Ohio State manged to get in front in stay in front in a bit of a shootout, icing the game late. The Buckeyes won 44-31, setting up a massive showdown with Michigan at regular season’s end for the Big Ten East title.

That one came up wanting for Ohio State, with Michigan winning 45-23 to advance to the Big Ten Championship Game.

So while the Buckeyes are considerable favorites in three of the key Ohio State games in 2023, fans will be anxiously awaiting that regular-season finale again. There’s a lot on the line when Michigan and Ohio State meet and, judging by the Vegas oddsmakers, this season figures to be no different.