2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 11-2, Loss vs. Missouri in Cotton Bowl (14-3)

It was another year with the same script for Ohio State. The Buckeyes breezed through the Big Ten and entered Rivalry Week with a record of 11-0. Ohio State fell to Michigan in the final game of the regular season for the third consecutive year. With the previous set up in the Big Ten, this cost the Buckeyes a Big Ten title once again and kept them out of the CFB Playoff. Ohio State went onto the Cotton Bowl and with backups, fell to Missouri.

Offense: New-look Buckeyes remain loaded

Ohio State is going to look different at many positions this season, including the coaching staff, but remains loaded and is expected to be one of the best units in the nation.

Let’s start with the coaching staff. Ryan Day brought in Chip Kelly as the offensive coordinator to call plays. This allows Day to focus on other elements on game day and also brings in another strong offensive mind.

The Buckeyes have become known for their wide receivers, and they will be great once again, but Ohio State will feature the best duo of running backs in the nation. TreVeyon Henderson is back for another year after being a premiere back in Columbus since his freshman year. Ohio State made sure to solidify the unit with Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins. Overall, these two might be in the top five of returning running backs individually and make up a truly elite unit.

Marvin Harrison Jr. was taken in the top four of the 2024 NFL Draft but Emeka Egbuka returns to lead another strong group on the outside. Carnell Tate will also be featured while true freshman, and top recruit, Jeremiah Smith has a chance to make an impact in his first collegiate season. Many believe that Smith will be the next great receiver to come out of Ohio State.

Once again, the question is at quarterback for Ohio State. Last season, Kyle McCord held back the Buckeyes when it mattered most and he is now at Syracuse. Day landed Kansas State transfer Will Howard in the transfer portal and he is likely to take over as the starting quarterback. Devin Brown will also be in the mix but Howard seems to be the leader in the clubhouse. The quarterback will have another elite offensive group to work with as the Buckeyes chase a National Championship.

Defense: Experienced unit adds All-American

A defense that returns 10 upperclassmen is usually enough needed to compete. Not for Ohio State. This is a program that is always looking for more and found it in the form of an All-American.

Alabama transfer Caleb Downs put together an incredible season in Tuscaloosa as a freshman. He is now in Columbus and is a plug and play for Ohio State in the secondary. Last season, Ohio State expected to lose some major pieces defensively but many returned to build what they hope will be a classic Ohio State defense.

JT Tuimoloau is the leader of the defense on the edge while Jack Sawyer is also back. Defensive lineman Tyleik Williams is a Big Ten standout and has a chance to be one of the top interior lineman in the nation. The linebacker group lost Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers. If there is any question mark defensively, it would be the linebackers.

Cody Simon and Sonny Styles, who is a transitioned safety, are expected to be the new duo in the middle. With Styles moving to the center of the field, this leaves spots next to Downs in the secondary and will be filled by the likes of Lathan Ransom and Denzel Burke. The depth continues with Davison Igbinosun and Jordan Hancock.

The Ohio State defense has not been as fierce as usual in recent years. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is hoping to bring back the ferocious defense of the Buckeyes in 2024.

2024 Ohio State Football Schedule

• Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Akron
• Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Western Michigan
• Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Marshall
• Saturday, Sept. 28: at Michigan State
• Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. Iowa
• Saturday, Oct. 12: at Oregon
• Saturday, Oct. 26: vs. Nebraska
• Saturday, Nov. 2: at Penn State
• Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Purdue
• Saturday, Nov. 16: at Northwestern
• Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Indiana
• Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Michigan