Buckeyes open as massive favorite over Akron in season opener
COLUMBUS — Ohio State is expected to be one of the best teams in the country this fall. It’s one of the most highly-anticipated Buckeyes seasons in recent memory.
And the folks in the desert are respecting what they think will be an incredible Buckeyes team.
On Tuesday afternoon, that became even clearer. The Buckeyes opened as a historically large favorite, according to Draftkings Sportsbook, in the season-opening matchup against Akron on Aug. 31. They’re a 50.5-point favorite over the Zips.
Ohio Sate opens the season against the Zips, clearly, but the Buckeyes also play another MAC program a week later. They’ll host Western Michigan on Sept. 7. Now the Buckeyes will open with back-to-back MAC opponents as part of a three-game nonconference slate that also includes Marshall on Sept. 14.
The massive spread for the season-opening game against Akron is just another line that’s already been set for the Buckeyes. They’re already favored by 24 in the Oct. 5 home matchup against Iowa, a one-point road underdog for the Oct. 12 showdown at Oregon, a 25.5-point home favorite for Oct. 26 against Nebraska, a three-point road favorite for Nov. 2 at Penn State and a 10-point favorite at home against Michigan in The Game on Nov. 30.
Spreads for the games against Western Michigan, Marshall, at Michigan State, against Purdue, at Northwestern (at Wrigley Field) and against Indiana have not been released yet.
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Ohio State is the current betting favorite to win the Big Ten (+160) followed by Oregon (+220). The Buckeyes have the second-best odds to win the national title (+425), trailing only Georgia (+320).
The full Ohio State schedule with current point spreads can be found below. All spreads and odds are from Draftkings Sportsbook.
2024 Ohio State Football Schedule
Aug. 31 – Akron (Ohio State -50.5)
Sept. 7 – Western Michigan
Sept. 14 – Idle
Sept. 21 – Marshall
Sept. 28 – at Michigan State
Oct. 5 – Iowa (Ohio State -24)
Oct. 12 – at Oregon (Oregon -1)
Oct. 19 – Idle
Oct. 26 – Nebraska (Ohio State -25.5)
Nov. 2 – at Penn State (Ohio State -3)
Nov. 9 – Purdue
Nov. 16 – at Northwestern
Nov. 23 – Indiana
Nov. 30 – Michigan (Ohio State -10) (Noon, FOX
