The Ohio State Buckeyes certainly didn't disappoint in their NCAA season-opening victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies on Monday night, and as a result not only have they improved on the odds to win the college football championship but their key players have received a boost on the Heisman Trophy betting lines.
Ohio State put up four touchdowns in the second half on Monday night to grab a 42-24 road win over Virginia Tech, leaving them as the unanimous No. 1 team in the updated AP Top 25.
And after sitting as the clear +260 favorites on the odds to win the college football championship in the preseason the Buckeyes moved to +175 on that futures list after their win over the Hokies. Alabama and TCU trail at +800 on the national title odds, with Notre Dame, Auburn, and Baylor all at +1400, Michigan State at +1800, and LSU and USC both at +2000.
Cardale Jones got the start for the Buckeyes at quarterback against Virginia Tech, completing nine of his 18 pass attempts for 186 yards with two touchdowns and an interception while also rushing for 99 yards and a score. J.T. Barrett also threw one pass for a 26-yard touchdown.
And Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott ran for 122 yards and a touchdown against Virginia Tech, but it was quarterback-turned-receiver Braxton Miller who really turned heads on Monday night – Miller rushed for 62 yards and a touchdown while catching two passes for 78 yards and another score in the victory.
That performance cut Miller's Heisman Trophy odds in half, as he improved from +3300 to +1600 on that college football prop list when those betting lines returned on Tuesday. Jones improved quite a bit as well, from +1400 to +700 where he sits as the new favorite, while the overshadowed Elliott dropped from +500 to +900.
Barrett took an even bigger tumble, falling from +900 to +2500 with Jones getting the start.
The Buckeyes are back in action on Saturday afternoon as they play their home opener against the Hawaii Warriors. Ohio State isn't expected to have any problem improving to 2-0 on Saturday – expect them to be listed as favorites of about six touchdowns for the contest.
*Odds as of September 10, 2015