Aug 216 min read

Ohio State Poised to Dominate New Big Ten

Ohio State enters the 2024 season looking to reestablish itself as the top dawg in the Big Ten Conference. After losing to archrival Michigan for the third time in a row and missing the College Football Playoff last year, Ryan Day and the Buckeyes look to bounce back this season with a return to championship form.

The Buckeyes drastically improved their already stacked roster in the offseason, signing a top-10 recruiting and Transfer Portal class. The following breaks down the upcoming season for the Buckeyes and predicts the outcomes of their games.

Week 1: Akron Zips

Ohio State and Akron last played each other in 2021 resulting in a 59 - 7 victory for the Buckeyes. Ohio State is 8-1 versus the Zips dating back to their first matchup in 1891.

Ohio State will start the season in commanding fashion, dominating this "tune-up game" against an inferior opponent. OSU wins 63-7.

Record: 1-0

Week 2: Western Michigan Broncos

This will be only the second meeting between the Buckeyes and the WMU Broncos. OSU beat WMU 38-12 in 2015. Ohio State will once again dominate against inferior competition winning this game 54-3.

Record: 2-0

Week 3: Bye

Week 4: Marshall Thundering Herd

Ohio State faces off against the Marshall Thundering Herd on Sept. 21 marking their second meeting. OSU beat Marshall 24-21 in 2004. This game will not be as close as their 2004 matchup. OSU's talent advantage will be too much for Marshall, resulting in a 49-13 win for the Buckeyes.

Record: 3-0

Week 5: at Michigan State Spartans

The Buckeyes hold a record of 37-17 against conference foe Michigan State. The Buckeyes have won the last eight against the Spartans, winning their last matchup 38-3.

The Spartans are in a bit of turmoil after losing head coach Mel Tucker amid a scandal last season, while the Buckeyes are fielding one of if not the most talented rosters they've ever had. Look for the Buckeyes to make a statement in their first conference matchup of the season. Buckeyes win big 54-6.

Record: 4-0 (1-0 Big Ten)

Week 6: Iowa Hawkeyes

The Buckeyes host Iowa on Oct. 5. Ohio State holds an all-time record of 47-15-3 against the Hawkeyes and currently hold a one-game winning game streak, winning their last matchup 54-10.

The Hawkeyes and their stout defense will give OSU their biggest test of the season to this point, but Iowa's lack of offensive prowess will make this yet another one-sided game for the Buckeyes. Ohio State wins 35-6, to stay undefeated on the season

Record: 5-0 (2-0 Big Ten)

Week 7: at Oregon Ducks

On Oct. 12 the Buckeyes travel to Eugene, Ore., to face a Ducks team that has been consistently improving under head coach Dan Lanning.

Although the Buckeyes have a commanding 9-1 lead in the series, the Ducks emerged victorious in their last encounter in 2021 with a 35-28 win. The Buckeyes are eager to even the score as they head to Eugene for a showdown with the Ducks, who have just become fellow B1G Championship contenders.

This game will likely be the biggest test for Ohio State during the regular season. While Oregon is a newcomer to the conference, look for them to put up a valiant effort against the Buckeyes in a rowdy Autzen Stadium. Oregon's "new conference jitters" and OSU's slightly better talent will result in a 42-38 victory for the Buckeyes.

Record: 6-0 (3-0 Big Ten)

Week 9: Nebraska Cornhuskers

The Nebraska Cornhuskers travel to Columbus, Ohio, in search of their second win all-time against the Buckeyes. OSU leads the series 9-1 and won the last meeting 26-17 in 2021.

The Cornhuskers return most of their solid defensive unit from a year ago, but it won't be enough to stop the Buckeyes. OSU wins this game by a score of 42-17.

Record: 7-0 (4-0 Big Ten)

Week 10: at Penn State Nittany Lions

The Buckeyes face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Nov. 2 when they travel to Happy Valley in a highly anticipated Big Ten matchup.

The Buckeyes lead the series 24-14 and are currently on a nine-game winning streak against the Nittany Lions. OSU came out victorious in their meeting last season with a score of 20-12.

The Nittany Lions, with their veteran defense and the one-two punch of Nick Singlton and Katron Allen at running back, will give the Buckeyes almost all they can handle. The Buckeyes squeak this game out in the always raucous Beaver Stadium with a late field goal to silence the crowd. OSU continues its undfeated season beating PSU 27-24.

Record: 8-0 (5-0 Big Ten)

Week 11: Purdue Boilermakers

The Purdue Boilermakers come to Ohio Stadium on Nov. 9 to face off against the Buckeyes. OSU leads the all-time series 42-15-2 and won last year's matchup 41-7.

Purdue's defense which allowed more than 30 points a game last year, lost its best player this offseason when edge-rusher Nic Scourton transferred to Texas A&M. Scourton was the only bright spot on this defense a year ago, leading the Big Ten in sacks. With the loss of Scourton and his pass rushing ability, there's potential for this defense to be even worse than last year's.

This matchup will be similar to last year's meeting with the Buckeyes winning big. OSU takes down the Boilermakers with ease by a score of 56-13.

Record: 9-0 (6-0 Big Ten)

Week 12: at Northwestern Wildcats

Ohio State travels to Chicago to take on the Northwestern Wildcats at historic Wrigley Field on Nov. 16. The Buckeyes lead the series 63-13-1 and won the last matchup 21-7 in 2022.

The Wildcats went 8-5 last season including a 5-4 record in conference against a relatively easy schedule. They return the majority of their defense that was a solid unit last year but have questions at quarterback.

The Buckeyes will get their first win at Wrigley Field beating the Wildcats 31-7.

Record: 10-0 (7-0 Big Ten)

Week 13: Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana comes into Ohio Stadium on Nov. 23 looking to end a 29-game losing streak against the Buckeyes. OSU leads the series against the Hoosiers 80-12-5 and won last season's matchup 23-3.

Indiana hired head coach Curt Cignetti this offseason after he led James Madison to an 11-1 record. Cignetti has brought in multiple transfers including Ohio University quarterback Kurtis Rourke to help bolster his offense.

Indiana will enter this game as a much-improved football team from a year ago but, unfortunately for the Hoosiers, it won't be enough. They will leave Columbus after losing their 30th straight game to the Buckeyes. OSU wins 35-17.

Record: 11-0 (8-0 Big Ten)

Week 14: Michigan Wolverines

Ohio State welcomes rival Michigan to Ohio Stadium for the 119th iteration of "The Game." Michigan leads the series 61-51-6 and currently hold a three-game win streak after winning last year's matchup 30-24.

After winning the 2024 CFP National Championship, the Wolverines lost head coach Jim Harbaugh and multiple players to the NFL. Among those players were starting quarterback JJ McCarthy, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and running back Blake Corum. After losing 13 total players to the draft and a few more to the Transfer Portal, coupled with losing their head coach, look for Michigan to take a step back this season.

While the Wolverines lost a lot of talent this offseason, the Buckeyes experienced an influx of new players through the Portal and recruiting. They added RB Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss and QB Will Howard from Kansas State, who both will be major players in OSU's offense under new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.

With these two teams trending in opposite directions look for the Buckeyes to put an end to their losing streak against Michigan in dominating fashion. The Buckeyes after three long seasons get their revenge beating the Wolverines 42-14.

Record: 12-0 (9-0 Big Ten)

Ohio State Returns to Form

While the Buckeyes only lost one game in 2023, the season is considered a disappointment both to the team and their fans. That one loss was to rival Michigan, and it put them out of the conference championship and the playoffs. That disappointment will not exist at this season's end as the Buckeyes, after finishing the regular season 12-0, will win the Big Ten and make the inaugural 12-team playoff.