Ohio State faced an NFL exodus in the offseason, but few people are sleeping on the Buckeyes.
The inaugural Coaches Poll of 2016 voted Urban Meyer's team No. 5 in the country.
And bettors are still riding the Bucks. Bovada released another wave of national title and Heisman odds Wednesday afternoon. Though Ohio State isn't the betting favorite (that goes to Alabama), the Buckeyes tied for the fourth spot with Michigan at 9:1 to win the 2016 title.
| SCHOOL | JAN. 13 | FEB. 15 | CURRENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALABAMA | 7:1 | 7:1 | 6:1 |
| LSU: | 14:1 | 14:1 | 7:1 |
| CLEMSON | 15:2 | 15:2 | 17:2 |
| OHIO STATE | 12:1 | 6:1 | 9:1 |
| MICHIGAN | 12:1 | 15:1 | 9:1 |
| FLORIDA STATE | 16:1 | 20:1 | 10:1 |
| TENNESSEE | 22:1 | 14:1 | 12:1 |
| OKLAHOMA | 14:1 | 14:1 | 16:1 |
| NOTRE DAME | 14:1 | 16:1 | 20:1 |
| STANFORD | 14:1 | 16:1 | 25:1 |
Other notables include Michigan State (50:1), up from 33:1 in January, and Tom Herman's Houston (66:1), up from January's (33:1).
The Heisman favorites field is, unsurprisingly, littered with quarterbacks and running backs. At J.T. Barrett (12:1) trails only Leonard Fournette (4:1), Deshaun Watson (9:2), and Christian McCaffrey.
Ohio State will also face a pair of Heisman favorites Week 3 in Norman. Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield is listed at (14:1) while Samaje Perine stands at (25:1).
| PLAYER (POS) | SCHOOL | JAN. 19 | JUNE 30 | CURRENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEONARD FOURNETTE (RB) | LSU | 5:1 | 9:2 | 4:1 |
| DESHAUN WATSON (QB) | CLEMSON | 9:2 | 5:1 | 9:2 |
| CHRISTIAN McCAFFREY (RB) | STANFORD | 5:1 | 11:2 | 11:2 |
| J.T. BARRETT (QB) | OHIO STATE | 10:1 | 12:1 | 12:1 |
| DALVIN COOK (RB) | FLORIDA STATE | 12:1 | 12:1 | 12:1 |
| BAKER MAYFIELD (QB) | OKLAHOMA | 10:1 | 12:1 | 14:1 |
| NICK CHUBB (RB) | GEORGIA | 12:1 | 16:1 | 16:1 |
| CHAD KELLY (QB) | MISSISSIPPI | 12:1 | 16:1 | 16:1 |
| JOSH ROSEN (QB) | UCLA | OFF | 16:1 | 16:1 |
| ROYCE FREEMAN (RB) | OREGON | 12:1 | 20:1 | 20:1 |
| BO SCARBROUGH (RB) | ALABAMA | OFF | 20:1 | 20:1 |
| SAMAJE PERINE (RB) | OKLAHOMA | 12:1 | 25:1 | 25:1 |
Ohio State held its fourth fall practice Wednesday morning. Its season starts Sept. 3 against Bowling Green.
