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ESPN outlines best and worst-case scenarios for Ohio State in 2023
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ESPN has the Ohio State Buckeyes sitting at No. 3 in its preseason power rankings.
That seems to be the consensus on the Buckeyes entering 2023. While Ohio State has arguably the best playmaker in college football and consistently reloads the roster with elite talent, there are legitimate questions that need answered. To that end, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg thinks a three-plus-loss season — something that hasn’t happened in Columbus since 2011 — is possible if things go wrong.
Rittenberg laid out the Buckeyes’ worst-case scenario:
Ohio State has never lost more than two games in a season under Day and has only dropped three or more games in a season three times since 2001. The Buckeyes will need to be road warriors this fall, as they visit Michigan, Notre Dame and Wisconsin, as well as Indiana, Purdue and Rutgers. They also host Penn State and an ascending Maryland team with a strong offense. A four-loss season is highly unlikely but possible for the Buckeyes. It would stem from continued regression on defense and the abrupt end to a stretch of superb quarterback play. The questions at the offensive tackle spots would need to be amplified, as would health and production issues at running back. The defensive line has been ordinary lately and, in theory, could continue down the path despite so much talent and experience. Anything shy of the CFP would be disappointing for Ohio State, and 9-3 or 8-4 would trigger significant changes.
But a national championship is also on the table if things break right. Here’s what Rittenberg wrote should be Ohio State’s best-case scenario:
National championship. The top goal in Columbus never changes, but Ohio State is way overdue for a title, especially considering its historic quarterback run under coach Ryan Day. Despite the Michigan meltdown, Ohio State outplayed eventual national champion Georgia before a calamitous fourth quarter. The Buckeyes clearly must improve on defense and limit the breakdowns that surfaced in the Michigan and Georgia losses. But a second year under coordinator Jim Knowles and a potentially elite front seven fuels hope for the unit. Knowles needs his most talented players — ends J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, tackle Michael Hall Jr., linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, safeties Lathan Ransom and Sonny Styles — to be great on a consistent basis. There are questions on offense, particularly at quarterback and tackle, but Day’s overall track record with the unit inspires plenty of confidence. Ohio State’s road schedule isn’t easy, especially a Nov. 25 visit to Michigan Stadium, but the Buckeyes haven’t dropped three straight to the Wolverines since 1997.
The Buckeyes will open the season on the road against Indiana on Sept. 2. On Sept. 23, the Buckeyes travel to South Bend to face Notre Dame.
We’ll find out early what kind of season this will be for Ohio State.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.