Many experts think Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud will win the Heisman Trophy this season and then be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Stroud and the Buckeyes open the 2022 college football season with a tough test at home vs. Notre Dame. Caesars Sportsbook has raised the Buckeyes to -13 after opening a few days ago at -10.5 among a few early Week 1 offerings. No time has been set for the Sept. 3 game yet, but it will be the most-watched opener.
Even after losing star receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave to the NFL, Ohio State is going to open in the top three of the preseason AP Top 25 this summer with Stroud, sensational running back TreVeyon Henderson and wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba back.
While OSU missed the 2021 College Football Playoff because of a regular-season finale loss to Michigan, we last saw the Buckeyes hanging 48 points on a good Utah team in a Rose Bowl victory. Stroud threw for a school-record 573 yards and six TDs against a terrific defense and Smith-Njigba set the record for any FBS bowl game with 347 yards receiving while catching a school-record 15 passes and scoring three touchdowns.
Stroud is currently a +300 co-favorite at Caesars to win the 2022 Heisman with 2021 winner Bryce Young, the Alabama quarterback. OSU is a +700 third favorite to win the national title.