Ohio State, along with many other college football programs, begins fall camp this week. Unlike most other FBS teams, however, the Buckeyes enter the 2024 season with one of the most realistic national championship expectations of anyone.

Even in a new era of college football — the 12-team playoff begins this season — big-name schools like Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas are viewed as the most likely national title winners.

At BetMGM, bettors have fallen in love with the Buckeyes’ roster and title aspirations.

Currently, Ohio State is the sports betting app’s biggest liability in the national title futures market, according to BetMGM data sent to Sports Handle on July 23. Just under 30% of all money wagered in the futures market has been placed on the Buckeyes, and 21.4% of wagers have been placed on Ohio State.

The Buckeyes, who opened with +700 odds to win the championship, are currently +325 on BetMGM to win the national title. Georgia (+300) is the only team with shorter national title odds. Both teams hold +325 odds on ESPN BET, while FanDuel lists the Buckeyes at +400 and Georgia at +300.

The Buckeyes have also been a popular wager to win the Big Ten, with 60.9% of money wagered on the Big Ten futures market at BetMGM being placed on the Buckeyes. Just over 25% of bets have been on Ohio State, with Penn State (31.1%) the only team receiving more wagers.

Ohio State opened with +550 odds to win the conference championship, but the Buckeyes have since shifted to +150.

A favorable schedule — as far as Big Ten schedules go — should help Ohio State as it fights for a conference and national title this fall. The Buckeyes don’t play a power conference opponent in their nonconference schedule, and they host Michigan at the end of the season.

On paper, road games against Oregon and Penn State will likely decide if the Buckeyes win the conference. Even if Ohio State doesn’t win the Big Ten, a multiple-loss OSU team could still realistically make the 12-team playoff.

Ohio State is a whopping -750 to make the College Football Playoff on BetMGM, the shortest odds of any team.