𝕆𝕙𝕚𝕠 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝔽𝕠𝕠𝕥𝕓𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟝 𝕊𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕠𝕟 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: ℕ𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕘𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒 𝔹𝕣𝕦𝕥𝕒𝕝 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕕𝕦𝕝𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 ℙ𝕝𝕒𝕪𝕠𝕗𝕗 𝔻𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞𝕤 𝕀𝕟𝕥𝕒𝕔𝕥.

𝔄 𝔠𝔬𝔪𝔭𝔯𝔢𝔥𝔢𝔫𝔰𝔦𝔳𝔢 2025 𝔰𝔢𝔞𝔰𝔬𝔫 𝔭𝔯𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴 𝔬𝔲𝔱𝔩𝔦𝔫𝔢𝔰 𝔒𝔥𝔦𝔬 𝔖𝔱𝔞𝔱𝔢’𝔰 𝔰𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔡𝔲𝔩𝔢, 𝔦𝔫𝔠𝔩𝔲𝔡𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔬𝔲𝔤𝔥 𝔪𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔲𝔭𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔤𝔢 𝔉𝔬𝔬𝔱𝔟𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔓𝔩𝔞𝔶𝔬𝔣𝔣 𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢𝔰 (10‑2 𝔩𝔦𝔨𝔢𝔩𝔶, 8‑4 𝔡𝔦𝔰𝔞𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯, 11‑1 𝔠𝔢𝔦𝔩𝔦𝔫𝔤, 75% 𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔞𝔱 ℭ𝔉𝔓).

As the 2025 college football season approaches, the Ohio State Buckeyes find themselves in a familiar yet pressure-packed position—at the center of national championship conversations. Fresh off a national title in 2024, expectations are sky-high in Columbus. But with significant roster turnover, a first-year starting quarterback, and a tough slate of games ahead, the Buckeyes’ path to another College Football Playoff (CFP) appearance is anything but guaranteed.

Still, most analysts remain bullish on Ohio State’s postseason potential, projecting a 75% chance of reaching the CFP, with a 10–2 record as the most likely outcome. A stellar 11–1 season remains within reach, while anything worse than 8–4 would be considered a major disappointment.

A New Era Under Center

The biggest storyline heading into the season is at quarterback. Redshirt freshman Julian Sayin has officially been named the starter, stepping into one of the most scrutinized roles in college football. Sayin, a former five-star recruit, has impressed in offseason workouts and scrimmages, but he will be tested immediately against top-tier competition.

Sayin’s development will be a critical factor in determining how far Ohio State can go in 2025. With a strong supporting cast—particularly standout wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and tight end Jelani Thurman—he won’t have to do it all alone. But how quickly he can adapt to the speed and complexity of Big Ten defenses could define the Buckeyes’ season.

A Daunting Schedule

Ohio State’s 2025 schedule is no cakewalk. The season kicks off with a high-stakes opener against No. 1 Texas at Ohio Stadium—a historic matchup that could set the tone for the entire year. Texas returns a loaded roster and has national championship aspirations of its own. A win in Week 1 would not only boost Ohio State’s résumé, but also give Sayin a confidence surge heading into Big Ten play.

The Buckeyes also face tough conference matchups against Penn State, Oregon, and Michigan, all of whom are in the CFP hunt. Penn State returns a veteran defense and remains one of the most physical teams in the conference. Oregon, now a full-fledged Big Ten member, brings West Coast speed and a high-octane offense that could test Ohio State’s secondary. And of course, the annual showdown with Michigan in late November looms large—as always.

Strengths to Watch

While quarterback is a question mark, Ohio State’s roster is still one of the deepest in the country. The defense, anchored by Caleb Downs, a preseason All-American safety, is expected to be a top-5 unit nationally. Special teams are also solid, with kicker Jayden Fielding emerging as a reliable weapon in clutch situations.

The offensive line features a mix of returning veterans and promising underclassmen, and the running back room remains deep, even if there’s no Heisman contender among them.

Predictions and Expectations

Realistically, most fans and experts are projecting a 10–2 regular season. Losses to Texas and either Penn State or Michigan are within the realm of possibility, though the Buckeyes could just as easily run the table with Sayin maturing quickly and the defense living up to the hype.

An 11–1 finish would almost guarantee a playoff berth, even without a Big Ten title. Conversely, an 8–4 season would likely knock Ohio State out of contention, raise questions about coaching decisions, and reopen scrutiny around Ryan Day’s leadership—especially if another loss to Michigan is involved.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 season for Ohio State is about balance: building on last year’s championship momentum while managing growing pains from new personnel. The Buckeyes have the talent and coaching to return to the playoff, but they’ll need to navigate one of the toughest schedules in college football to get there.

One thing’s for sure—the margin for error is razor-thin, and every game will matter. Buckle up, Buckeye Nation. This season could be one for the ages—or one filled with hard lessons.