The Ohio State Buckeyes fell just short of making an appearance in the national championship game, experiencing a narrow 42-41 defeat against the Georgia Bulldogs in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. The Bulldogs went on to defeat the TCU Horned Frogs in the championship game, securing their second consecutive title.
While Ohio State remains haunted by the near miss, the team is gearing up for the 2023 season with aspirations to once again become a prominent force in the sport. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Buckeyes are the favorites to clinch the Big Ten title, secure a spot in the College Football Playoff and hold the third-best odds to seize the national championship.
This is an impressive prospect for a team that is undergoing a transition at the quarterback position, following the departure of C.J. Stroud, who was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.
The preseason camp sees a competition between sophomore Devin Brown and junior Kyle McCord for the QB1 role. Head coach Ryan Day has until Week 1 to reveal his starter, but the winner of the battle will certainly be in a dream situation.
Marvin Harrison Jr., a potential Heisman contender, spearheads the best receiver room in the country, which also features Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming. The running back duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams adds strength to the backfield.
Traditionally, Ohio State’s offense is renowned for its excellence, a trend that persists season after season, regardless of the quarterback in play. The defense is also anticipated to show progress in its second year under the guidance of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
Considering all this, it’s evident why the betting market holds high expectations for Ohio State in the upcoming 2023 campaign.
According to FanDuel‘s latest odds for the national championship, Ohio State stands at +700, trailing only Georgia (+220) and Alabama (+600) in the market. The +700 figure corresponds to an implied probability of 12.5%.
The odds for Ohio State’s return to the College Football Playoff are set at +115, marking the second-best odds in FanDuel’s lineup, trailing Georgia’s value of -220. At +115, the Buckeyes are implied to have a 46.51% chance of securing a consecutive playoff appearance.
Having witnessed its rival, Michigan, clinch the conference title for two straight years, Ohio State enters the season with +165 odds to capture the league championship, while Michigan is listed at +180. Penn State (+600) and Wisconsin (+800) stand as the other noteworthy contenders within the conference.
Ohio State’s projected win total for the new season is 10.5, with the over listed at -115 and the under priced at -105.
Regarding the Heisman Trophy race, McCord boasts the best odds at FanDuel, carrying a 28/1 value to claim the prestigious award. Harrison holds odds of 30/1 as a receiver, whereas Brown is positioned at 40/1. Henderson is a long shot at 80/1 to claim the trophy.
As for player props, FanDuel has odds for both Harrison and Henderson. For the best receiver in the country, Harrison’s receiving lines have been set at 11.5 touchdowns and 1,125.5 yards. Henderson’s rushing props are marked at 11.5 touchdowns and 1,000.5 yards.
Ohio State’s journey in the potentially remarkable season commences on Sept. 2, with a road clash against Indiana.
