Free NCAAF Pick: Buckeyes vs. Longhorns Odds
Looking for Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas Longhorns Free NCAA picks & NCAA odds? NCAAF betting sees the Buckeyes taking on the Longhorns on 9/12 at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, in Austin, TX. This free NCAA football pick is based on matchup analysis and documented handicapping data tracked by CappersPicks since 2004, with a focus on identifying the strongest betting angle for this Buckeyes Longhorns matchup.
2026 NCAAF Handicapping – Ohio State Buckeyes vs Texas Longhorns
(1-0) Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas Longhorns (1-0)
Date: Sep 12, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Venue: Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX
NCAAF Moneyline Odds: Buckeyes -102 | Longhorns -120 (Bet Now!)
Today’s NCAAF Spread Betting Odds: Buckeyes +1.5 | Longhorns -1.5
NCAAF Football Gambling Total: O/U: 48.5
Here’s why I’m backing an Ohio State ATS bet below in my Buckeyes Longhorns free pick & gambling prediction for this matchup.
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Buckeyes vs. Longhorns Gameday
No. 1 Ohio State travels to Austin for a top-five showdown with No. 4 Texas at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Both teams are 1-0 after enormous opening victories, with the Buckeyes beating Ball State 56-3 and the Longhorns routing Texas State 59-7.
Ohio State produced 671 total yards in its opener, including 434 through the air. Julian Sayin threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns, while the Buckeyes scored exactly 14 points in every quarter.
Ohio State has won two straight against Texas, including last season’s 14-7 defensive battle.
Texas answered with 516 total yards against Texas State. Arch Manning threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns before leaving with the game comfortably in hand, while the Longhorns forced three turnovers.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET Saturday on ABC. Ohio State leads the all-time series 3-2 and returns to Austin for the first time since beating Texas 24-7 in 2006.
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2026 College Football Handicapping
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It’s Week 2, Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas Longhorns, hopefully we get a great matchup.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas Longhorns Odds & Last 5
Texas opened as a 1.5-point home favorite in what sportsbooks expect to be one of Saturday’s closest games. The Longhorns are around -120 on the moneyline, with Ohio State hovering near even money. The total opened at 47.5 and is now available around 48.5 to 49.5.
Neither side is getting much separation from the market.
Ohio State easily covered a huge number against Ball State, scoring eight touchdowns and allowing only a field goal. Texas also cruised past its Week 1 spread, producing 59 points and scoring on six of seven red-zone opportunities.
The Buckeyes won 14-7 in Columbus last season after holding Texas scoreless through three quarters. Ohio State also beat the Longhorns 28-14 in the College Football Playoff semifinal following the 2024 season.
Longhorns Stats
Texas produced 516 total yards against Texas State, throwing for 360 and rushing for 156. The Longhorns converted 11 of 15 third downs and scored on six of seven red-zone possessions.
Arch Manning did most of his damage before the starters were pulled.
Manning completed 20 of 27 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. He connected with Cam Coleman for two scores and also found Ryan Wingo and Hollywood Smothers for touchdowns.
Wingo delivered the biggest receiving total of the afternoon.
He caught five passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, while Coleman added four receptions for 69 yards and two scores. Raleek Brown scored twice on the ground as Texas continued piling on after Manning exited.
The Longhorns forced three turnovers, including Graceson Littleton’s 59-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Texas State finished with 312 total yards, and the Bobcats managed only seven points despite possessing the football slightly longer than Texas.
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Buckeyes Stats
Ohio State overwhelmed Ball State with 671 total yards and 32 first downs. The Buckeyes threw for 434 yards and rushed for 237, scoring touchdowns on all five red-zone possessions and averaging better than nine yards per play.
Julian Sayin was nearly flawless after two opening incompletions.
Sayin completed 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also scored on a three-yard run, accounting for four touchdowns before Ohio State turned the offense over to its backups.
Jeremiah Smith immediately resumed producing explosive plays.
Smith caught eight passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns, including a 48-yard score. Devin McCuin added six receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown, giving Sayin another dangerous option alongside the Buckeyes’ returning star.
Ohio State held Ball State to 165 total yards and three points. The Buckeyes allowed only 120 passing yards, intercepted one pass and surrendered no touchdowns, although Ball State did record two sacks against Sayin.
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Buckeyes vs. Longhorns QB Matchup
Julian Sayin and Arch Manning meet again after last season’s defensive battle in Columbus. Both quarterbacks enter the rematch with considerably more experience and impressive Week 1 performances behind them.
Sayin was exceptionally accurate against Ball State.
The Ohio State starter completed 84 percent of his passes and produced four total touchdowns. He also has Jeremiah Smith back as his primary weapon, giving Texas a much different version of the quarterback who threw for only 126 yards in last year’s meeting.
Manning has his own redemption opportunity.
The Texas quarterback struggled for much of last year’s 14-7 loss before finding some rhythm late. He finished that game with 170 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception, but opened 2026 by matching his career high with four touchdown passes.
Both quarterbacks are surrounded by explosive skill talent and protected by nationally ranked rosters. Sayin has the recent head-to-head win, while Manning gets the rematch at home after Texas failed to reach the end zone until the fourth quarter last season.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas Longhorns bottom line: two experienced quarterbacks and explosive receiving groups meet after both offenses opened the season with dominant performances.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas Longhorns Football Betting Trends
- Ohio State is 23-4 straight up in their last 27 away games.
- Also, Texas is 22-2 straight up in their last 24 home games.
- Ohio State is 7-0 against the spread in their last 7 games with totals of 50 or more.
- Texas is 3-0 against the spread in their last 3 home games.
- Ohio State is 10-16 on the over/under in their last 26 games after a win.
- Additionally, Texas is 4-0 on the over/under as favorites in their last 4 games.
Buckeyes Longhorns Free Pick: Over 48.5
Here is my Buckeyes Longhorns free pick: I’m playing Over 48.5 in Austin. Last year’s 14-7 grinder is going to attract Under money, but these offenses enter the rematch with considerably more firepower.
Julian Sayin completed 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns against Ball State. Arch Manning answered with 305 yards and four scores against Texas State, giving us two quarterbacks coming in hot.
Both have elite weapons around them.
Sayin and Manning combined for seven touchdown passes and 625 passing yards in their openers.
Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith immediately produced 151 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Texas countered with Ryan Wingo going for 121 yards, while Cam Coleman caught two of Manning’s four touchdown passes.
Neither Week 1 blowout tells us much about how these defenses handle elite competition. Ohio State lost considerable defensive talent from last year’s championship roster, while Texas is adjusting to Will Muschamp coordinating its defense.
The number also helps me here. I don’t need anything resembling the 115 combined points these teams scored last week, and a competitive game should keep both offenses aggressive deep into the fourth quarter.
Last year’s result doesn’t scare me away from the total. I’m betting these quarterbacks change the script and playing Over 48.5.
Today’s NCAAF Free Pick
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NCAAF Betting Tweet Of The Day
Rolling into Austin pic.twitter.com/Oivg3COOAb
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 10, 2026
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