The Grambling State Tigers take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on BTN.
Ohio State is favored by 54.5 points on the spread. The total is set at 62.5 points.
Here’s my Grambling State vs. Ohio State prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 6, 2025.
Grambling State vs Ohio State Prediction
- Grambling State vs. Ohio State Pick: Lean Over
My Ohio State vs. Grambling State best bet is on the over. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Grambling State vs Ohio State Odds
| Grambling St Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+54.5 -110 | 62.5 -115o / -105u | |
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-54.5 -110 | 62.5 -115o / -105u | |
- Grambling State vs Ohio State point spread: Ohio State -54.5 (-110), Grambling State +54.5 (-110)
- Grambling State vs Ohio State over/under: 62.5 (-115o / -105u)
Grambling State vs Ohio State Preview
Grambling State Tigers Betting Preview: Preparing for Disaster
Grambling State’s head coach seems to understand the task at hand. He told reporters this week at the mid-week presser: “We understand what’s going to happen.”
And give him credit for his honesty, because the Tigers are going to need a miracle.
On the bright side, Grambling earned a blowout win in Week 1, defeating its NAIA opponent, the Langston Lions, by a score of 55-7.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, nothing from that game will translate against the monstrous Buckeyes.
In its first game, 11 different Grambling receivers caught passes and eight different ball carriers combined to run for 219 yards. In other words, the Tigers had as lopsided of an advantage against Langston as Ohio State will have against them.
Grambling won’t have the luxury of spreading the wealth to its backups this time around, and the Ohio State defense will look to send its second major statement in as many weeks.
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview: Defending Champs with a Softball
If there was any doubt about how Ryan Day’s team would respond off a National Championship-winning season that resulted in plenty of NFL departures, you can put those questions to rest.
This is still the same old Ohio State program.
Gone are Will Howard, Jack Sawyer and plenty of other superstars, but there’s no shortage of talent in the new-look Buckeyes unit.
The Buckeyes' defense stifled preseason Heisman favorite Arch Manning in Week 1, shutting out the prolific Texas offense through three quarters and surrendering just one score late in the fourth quarter.
The defense did its part largely by thriving on big plays. Despite being out-gained both on the ground and through the air, the Buckeyes were able to control the game by getting off the field at key moments and controlling the time of possession.
Texas converted just five of 14 third downs and just one of five fourth-down conversion attempts.
While the Buckeyes' defense looked contender-ready immediately, it's still a work in progress for the many new faces on the offensive side of the football.
New quarterback Julian Sayin looked solid and avoided negative plays. The game script yielding an Ohio State lead for the entire second half allowed for a conservative approach, with quick, scripted pass plays and a run-heavy plan of attack.
It remains to be seen what Sayin can do with his arm, and a buy game in Week 2 against Grambling would be a good time to experiment. Expect Sayin to take a few shots downfield early in this one, both for experimental purposes but also to keep their best player satisfied.
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith looked frustrated in Ohio State’s opening week win. Smith totaled six receptions, leading the team, but they only mustered 43 yards and he failed to find the end zone.
Sayin hit a check down early in the game on a play where Smith had created separation downfield and could've walked into the end zone, so there are still some growing pains to sort through.
On the ground, Day leaned heavily on West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson, who looked more of a bell cow in Week 1 than what was expected.
James Peoples took on the role of RB2 and totaled just 20 yards rushing on 10 carries, while Donaldson had 67 yards on 19 runs.
As Ohio State seeks more role clarity for all its offensive weapons, look for it to spread the wealth in what should be a comfortable blowout win.
The first string may check out of this game by halftime, but there’s still plenty of Buckeye talent waiting for an opportunity to shine.
Grambling State vs Ohio State Pick, Betting Analysis
You have to be a true sicko to talk yourself into the Tigers here.
The game script should be conducive to some Ohio State theatrics, and even as the first team offense checks out, the second team offense will want to make their presence felt as well, competing for minutes.
Sayin looked competent enough to command the Buckeyes' offense, and with an added emphasis on getting the ball to Jeremiah Smith downfield for explosive plays, a Buckeye rout may be on.
Last season, Ohio State’s three non-conference games all hit their respective overs. It should be a playground for the Buckeyes' offense in this one, but with the Grambling offense unlikely to find any success whatsoever, it gives us enough hesitancy to consider this a lean and not an official pick.
Pick: Lean Over
