2024 B1G Media Days: Ohio State Ready for B1G Pressure

The Big Ten Conference has started their media days in Indianapolis this week, and Day 1 gave fans plenty of content to consume until the season starts. The first day starred Ohio State, the team many consider to be the favorite of the conference. The Buckeyes have been the center of attention for much of the offseason in the B1G, making the teams' media day appearance highly anticipated.

Coach Ryan Day, defensive back Denzel Burke, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and defensive end Jack Sawyer all made the trip to Lucas Oil Stadium to represent the Buckeyes. Many questions around the Buckeyes had to do with the quarterback, offensive line, new additions to the team and how will they handle the new competition in the B1G?

What to Expect From the Offensive Line?

Coming into the new season, one of the biggest questions about Ohio State had to do with what their offensive line will look like. Just last year, the Buckeyes started three new offensive lineman, which made for quite an adjustment. Now, making sure they have the best possible mix with their returners and new guys is key.

"They look good," Day said. "They've had a great summer. But we know how important that is. This team is going to go as the offensive line goes."

Day said he knows just how important it is for this specific team to have a good line. All the expectations this year, a new starting quarterback, and all the new transfers like Ole Miss transfer running back Quinshon Judkins. For their offense to have any sort of success, both sides of the line have to be in great shape.

Who Will Be QB1 at Ohio State?

After Kyle McCord was not the answer for the Buckeyes and transferred to Syracuse, QB questions for Ohio State started to bubble up. Enter Kansas State transfer Will Howard. Prior to the B1G Media Days, there was no official naming of the Buckeyes starting quarterback. After the spring game, the competition seemed to be between Howard and Devin Brown.

However, the general media consensus is that Howard would be the starter. Last season, Howard lead Kansas State to a 9-4 record, which would've been good enough for third in the B1G. The new Buckeye threw for 24 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and 2,643 yards in 2023. With more impact players around him in Columbus, Ohio, Howard could improve on those numbers exponentially.

Looking at the Defense

We all know that offense is half the battle. When it comes to the other side, Ohio State hopes to be just good if not better. Most of the great things that come on offense will be because of the two guys the Day brought with him, Burke and Sawyer. Burke picked up 24 total tackles last season and managed to get an interception as well.

"He's much more intentional with everything he does," Day said of Burke. "I think he has a chance to be the best corner in America next season."

Day said he plans on Sawyer having an impactful season too. Last year, the talented DE lead the team in sacks with 6.5 total on the year, and he tallied 24 solo tackles to his 48 total tackles. During his opening statement, Day had nothing but good things to say about Sawyer.

"A lot of people lead different ways," Day said. "Jack leads by his actions. It started off by being one of the first guys to commit to me in the class as a head coach and recruiting that class, but also, decided to come back this year."

Expectations for 2024

When it comes to Ohio State, there are always going to be high expectations. This year, it is no different. In fact, many believe this is the year, the Buckeyes are the favorite to win the B1G Championship.

"Now, our guys, they know what the expectation is," Day said. "You've heard some of them say what their goals are. We're not going to shy away from that. We want to win the rivalry game, be right in this stadium right here and win this Big Ten championship, win a national championship."

Ohio State fans want nothing more than to be Michigan, win the B1G and then go on to win the national championship. According to Day and the rest of the team, that is their collective expectation. The squad is too star-studded to fail with Judkins, Howard, Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith on offense. They can hang with the best of the B1G's defenses and offenses.

Make sure to stay tuned in to College Football Dawgs for more B1G Media Days and Ohio State Coverage.