Ohio State vs Washington Prediction & Closing Odds for Saturday

• No.1 Ohio State takes a cross-country trip to open their Big Ten schedule.
• Washington’s 22-game home win streak is on the line.
• Read below for my Ohio State vs Washington prediction as well as the closing odds.

---

Week 5 of the college football season proceeds with an undefeated matchup in Seattle between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Washington Huskies. No.1 Ohio State (3-0) and Washington (3-0) look to start their Big Ten slates with a win. Washington plays host at 3:30 PM ET on Saturday, September 27th, on a CBS broadcast.

I’ve locked in my Ohio State vs Washington prediction for Saturday. I’ve also provided the updated betting line.

Ohio State vs Washington Prediction

• Over 51.5 (-115, Caesars)

The reigning National Champions are out to a 3-0 start in 2025. After knocking off No.1 Texas in Columbus, Ohio State clobbered Grambling State 70-0 before beating Ohio 37-9. Ohio State has been No.1 in the AP Poll since the regular season began after being No.3 in the preseason poll.

Sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin has had a strong start to the season with eight passing touchdowns and an FBS-leading 78.9% completion rate. However, the star of the show is the incomparable Jeremiah Smith. He led the Big Ten in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns last season, and he is on his way to being a Heisman finalist this year. He has 315 yards and four total touchdowns this year, bouncing back from a drop-fueled Week 1.

"How could Ohio State ever have a better receiver than Jeremiah Smith?"

The Journey spotlights @OhioStateFB’s star WR and his growing legacy 👇

📍 @AutoOwnersIns pic.twitter.com/EZFVQKQDpA

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 26, 2025

The rushing attack is a three-headed unit with Bo Jackson, CJ Donaldson, and James Peoples all over 100 yards already on the season. Donaldson leads the team with 33 rushes and two touchdowns while Jackson leads the team with 217 yards (on a ridiculous 12.1 yards per rush).

Defensively, watch for 2024 All-American Caleb Downs. A likely top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Downs has five career interceptions and a forced fumble. He has earned at least an 85.0 PFF coverage grade in all three of his collegiate seasons.

1. DB Caleb Downs, Ohio State
400. QB Billy Edwards Jr, Wisconsin

PFF’s 2026 NFL Draft Big Board⬇️https://t.co/ngSxqpbC0e

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 27, 2025

Washington has yet to play a Power 4 school, but they have gotten off to an explosive start. They handled Colorado State by 17 before beating UC Davis by 60 points. In the Apple Cup in Week 4, they crushed Washington State 59-24, running away from a close game through three quarters.

Quarterback Desmond Williams has had a clean start to the season for the Huskies. He has eight total touchdowns with zero interceptions and just shy of 1,000 yards of total offense. He had five total touchdowns against Washington State.

Running back Jonah Coleman leads the country in rushing touchdowns (nine), scrimmage touchdowns (10), and even points (60). Coleman has scored multiple touchdowns in every game this season, 347 yards on a robust 6.8 yards per carry. Coleman is also second on the team with eight catches and 150 yards, behind Denzel Boston. Boston has 16 catches for 249 yards and three touchdowns. He also scored a punt return touchdown versus UC Davis.

Denzel Boston taking a punt for a TD.

6’4” 210 pound returners are cool pic.twitter.com/qlwNl1yZzB

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 7, 2025

However, the most influential player in the game is Washington cornerback Tacario Davis. The Arizona transfer missed last week with an injury, and – if he plays – he would be tasked with covering Smith. Davis has his own credentials as a former All-American and likely Day 2 or early Day 3 draft pick, but covering Smith at less than 100% health could spell disaster.

I am backing a high-scoring affair. Smith should find the end zone, potentially multiple times. Coleman will be the toughest test for Ohio State’s run defense so far. I expect a game in the mid-50s with Ohio State winning.

Closing Ohio State vs Washington Betting Lines

The oddsmakers have Ohio State as a road favorite with the total between 51.5 and 52.5. Over bettors can get -115 odds from Caesars on over 51.5. Under bettors can get -115 odds on under 52.5 from FanDuel.

Ohio State bettors can get the Buckeyes at -8 on the spread at Caesars (-110 odds) or -319 on the moneyline, also at Caesars. Washington bettors can get the Huskies +8.5 on the spread at DraftKings (-110 odds) or +260 on the moneyline at BetMGM.

Odds as of September 27, 2025, at consensus sportsbooks. Browse the top college football betting apps for Ohio State vs Washington.

Ohio State vs Washington Previous Matchups

Ohio State and Washington last played in the 2019 Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes weathered a 20-point spurt in the fourth quarter to win 28-23 in Urban Meyer’s final game. Current Bengals quarterback Jake Browning threw for 313 yards for the Huskies. The late Dwayne Haskins threw three touchdowns en route to Player of the Game honors.

Dwayne Haskins made it happen in the Rose Bowl. pic.twitter.com/XchlyebB6U

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 2, 2019

Ohio State holds a 9-3 advantage all-time over Washington, winning the last four matchups. Washington has won two of the last three matchups in Seattle, though, winning in 1986 and 1994.