Ohio State vs Texas Prediction 1/10/25 College Football Picks

Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win

• Ohio State has won seven of its last eight January games against top-15 AP-ranked teams.
• Texas has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games against top-15 AP-ranked teams at neutral venues.
• Ohio State has covered the spread in each of its last four games as a favorite against top-10 AP-ranked teams.

Texas Recap

The Texas Longhorns come into the CFP semi-finals after picking up a 39-31 double overtime win over Arizona State last time out. The Longhorns will be looking to make it back to the national championship for the first time since 2009 when the Longhorns lost to Alabama and will be hunting for their first national title since 2005 when the Longhorns defeated USC.

Longhorns Looking To Upend Buckeyes

Quinn Ewers has thrown for 2,307 yards, 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions on 67.3% passing while Arch Manning has thrown for 939 yards, 9 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on 67.8% passing. Quintrevion Wisner has 812 rushing yards while Jaydon Blue has 562 rushing yards with 6 TDs and Jerrick Gibson has 342 rushing yards and 4 TDs. Gunnar Helm has a team-high 48 receptions for 600 yards while Isaiah Bond has 510 receiving yards with 5 TDs and Matthew Golden has 576 receiving yards and 8 TDs as well. Three more Longhorns have 200+ receiving yards, including Jaydon Blue who has 4 TDs and DeAndre Moore Jr. who has 5 TDs this season. On defense, Anthony Hill Jr. has a team-high 84 total tackles and 7.5 sacks while Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba each have 4 interceptions. Colin Simmons has also added 7 sacks and Barryn Sorrell has 4.5 sacks. As a unit, Texas’ defense has combined for 36 sacks and 18 interceptions so far this season.

Why the Texas Longhorns will win

• Texas has won each of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
• Ohio State has lost each of its last three games against opponents from the Southeastern Conference at neutral venues.
• Texas has covered the spread in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
• Ohio State has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games as a favorite at neutral venues.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Texas' last five games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of Ohio State's last four games against top-5 AP-ranked teams at neutral venues have gone OVER the total points line.

Ohio State vs. Texas Prediction

I’m leaning towards Texas here. I just think there’s something about an SEC defense coming into this game that’s going to make Will Howard uncomfortable. The Buckeyes picked apart Oregon in the last round, proving that Oregon was a team that really needed to be at home to be most effective. Texas got by Arizona State, but I think being in a pressure cooker like that is only going to benefit Texas going forward. I think the Longhorns can keep this one competitive and potentially win it outright. Give me the Longhorns and the points.