The Ohio State Buckeyes enter the 2025 season as the reigning national champions and a consensus top-three team. Despite losing a significant amount of talent to the NFL, including a number of first-round picks, head coach Ryan Day has reloaded the roster with elite talent through recruiting and the transfer portal. With a new starting quarterback, a new offensive coordinator, and a new defensive coordinator, the Buckeyes face the challenge of repeating as champions while navigating one of the most difficult schedules in the country. The question isn’t whether they have enough talent, but whether they can quickly find cohesion and peak at the right time.
Top Storylines
- The Quarterback Competition: The biggest question mark heading into the season is who will be the starting quarterback. The competition appears to be between RS freshman Julian Sayin and junior Lincoln Kienholz, with Sayin earning a lot of buzz for his performance in spring practice. The winner of this battle will have an elite supporting cast and will be expected to lead an offense that is still searching for a new identity.
- The Return of the Stars: While the team lost a number of key players, they retained two of the best players in the country: wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs. Smith, a true sophomore, is a consensus All-American and a Heisman Trophy candidate. Downs, a junior transfer, is widely considered the best defensive player in college football. They will be the anchors of a team that will be expected to win a national championship.
- Ending the Losing Streak: The Buckeyes have not beaten their arch-rival Michigan in four consecutive years. The Wolverines won the national championship in 2023, and a new losing streak began in 2021. With the game in Ann Arbor this year, the pressure is on Ryan Day and his team to finally get a win against their rivals and re-establish their dominance in the conference.
Key Players to Watch
- Caleb Downs, S: The junior safety is an elite playmaker who can play in the box and in coverage. He is the unquestioned leader of the defense and will be relied upon to make big plays and anchor the back end.
- Jeremiah Smith, WR: As a true sophomore, Smith is a dynamic wide receiver who can take over a game. He is a Heisman candidate and will be the primary target for the new quarterback. His talent is undeniable, and he will be a key piece of the offense.
- Julian Sayin, QB: Simply put, as talented as the Buckeyes are, they can’t win the Big Ten or CFP without Sayin playing well. Translating immense talent to production at the highest level will determine Ohio State’s ceiling.
- Sonny Styles, LB: After moving from safety to linebacker, Styles is a physical freak who has adapted well to his new position. He has the size and speed to play in the box and in coverage and will be a key piece of the front seven.
Key Games
- vs. Texas (August 30th): This is arguably the most anticipated game of the season. The top-ranked Longhorns come to Columbus to face the defending national champions in an early-season showdown that will have major playoff implications. It will be an immediate test for the Buckeyes’ new quarterback and a chance to make a statement to the country.
- vs. Penn State (November 1st): The annual showdown with the Nittany Lions will likely decide the Big Ten East. With Penn State returning a veteran quarterback and an elite roster, this game will be a test of Ohio State’s ability to win a big game at home against a top-tier opponent.
- at Michigan (November 29th): The rivalry game against the Wolverines is always a must-watch. With the game in Ann Arbor this year, the pressure is on Ohio State to finally end the losing streak. The winner will likely earn a spot in the Big Ten Championship game and will be in a prime position for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Final Prediction
The Buckeyes have the most talented roster in the country, and they will be a national title contender all year. While there will be some growing pains with a new quarterback and new coordinators, Ohio State’s talent and coaching advantage will be enough to overcome any early struggles, break the losing streak to Michigan and secure both a Big Ten title game and CFP spot. A titanic matchup against Penn State in the Big Ten title game could be the game of the year.
Final Record: 12-0 Losses to: None Wins over: Texas, Grambling State, Ohio, Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers, and Michigan.
Want more Big 10 coverage? Here is a preview of the Big 10 season based on Vegas’ projected win totals. More Big 10 previews: Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan State, Northwestern, Iowa, UCLA, USC, Maryland, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers, Washington and Wisconsin.
