Can You Bet on Ohio State in Ohio?
Yes — with one important restriction. Ohio law allows betting on all college sports, including Ohio State, Cincinnati, and other Ohio-based schools. However, player prop bets are prohibited on games involving Ohio colleges.
You can bet point spreads, moneylines, totals, game props, and futures. You just can't bet on individual player performances like "Will TreVeyon Henderson rush for over 100 yards?"
What's Allowed vs. Restricted
- Point spreads (OSU -14.5)
- Moneylines (OSU to win)
- Totals (Over/Under 52.5)
- First half/quarter spreads
- Game props (first team to score)
- Futures (Big Ten champion, CFP)
- Parlays with OSU spreads/totals
- QB passing yards
- RB rushing yards
- Receiver receptions
- Player touchdowns
- ANY individual player performance
- Anytime touchdown scorer
- First/last TD scorer
Ohio prohibits player props on in-state college games to protect student athletes. The concern is that betting on individual player performance could create integrity risks or pressure on amateur players. This rule applies to ALL Ohio colleges — not just Ohio State.
Best Apps for OSU Betting
All licensed Ohio sportsbooks offer Ohio State betting (with the prop restrictions). Here's how they stack up for college football:
Top Apps for Buckeye Games
Types of OSU Bets You Can Make
Betting Strategy for Buckeye Games
Watch for trap games. Ohio State often has huge spreads against lesser opponents. These are games where the first-string might sit in the 4th quarter, making a -35 spread tough to cover.
Conference games are different. Big Ten matchups (especially Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin) are tighter than non-conference blowouts. Spreads are usually more reasonable and sometimes off.
Line shop religiously. College football lines vary more than NFL. You might find OSU -20.5 at one book and OSU -21.5 at another. Half a point matters.
The annual Ohio State vs. Michigan game is the biggest betting handle in college football. Lines are sharp, but this is also where books offer the most promos and boosts. Check all your apps for specials leading up to The Game.
Game Props You CAN Bet
Even without player props, there are plenty of game-level props available for OSU games:
- First team to score
- First scoring play type (TD, FG, safety)
- Will there be overtime?
- Total touchdowns (combined)
- Largest lead of the game
- Winning margin bands (OSU by 1-6, 7-13, etc.)
These are available at most Ohio sportsbooks and give you more action beyond the basic spread/total.
Ready to Bet the Buckeyes?
Compare Ohio sportsbooks and find the best OSU odds.
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