The Ohio State Buckeyes have been unsuccessful based on standards in Columbus for the last three seasons. Despite the last one of the regular season turning into losses, they have won 10+ games in that stretch, which is of the utmost importance in making it to the Big Ten Championship game.
Coming into 2024 it is considered “national championship or bust” according to Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day. A big question heading into the new season is if Ohio State can win the Big Ten East division after not accomplishing that goal in over four years. Here is the 2024 season outlook for the Ohio State Buckeyes!
Ohio State Offensive Outlook
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Ohio State relies heavily on a balanced offensive attack with the run-and-passing game. Deep balls downfield will look different as their big-time playmaker Marvin Harrison Jr has gone on to the National Football League with the Arizona Cardinals. One veteran wide receiver remains on the team Emeka Egbuka. He is entering his official junior year with the Buckeyes in 2024.
Last season, Egbuka racked up 41 catches for 515 yards and four touchdowns. Likely he will be used as their primary receiver when the season starts in the fall. TreyVeon Henderson will lead the running back room on the ground. Henderson ran for 11 touchdowns last year with 926 yards.
The quarterback situation is up for grabs before the season starts. Incoming freshman Julian Sayin is showing progress in the spring. Lincoln Kienholz has one year under his belt and could be a frontrunner, but the competition is growing leading up to September for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State Defensive Outlook
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The defense could be very strong once again for Ohio State as Tyleik Williams, JT Tuimoloau, and linebacker Jac Sawyer will be returning for their senior year. Tuimoloau had a spectacular junior season with 38 total tackles and five sacks. He was a force to be reckoned with based on his size and quickness on the defensive line for the Buckeyes a season ago. Cornerback Denzel Burke will be looking to finish off his college career with a great season.
While the team does have veteran leadership, they will be very young. Many players are coming into their first college football season in the fall as student-athletes. Guys such as Bryce West, Ian Moore, Air Nolan etc. The team will have plenty of depth on the sideline.
Ohio State Buckeyes 2024 Season Outlook
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Ohio State could steamroll through the first few games of the season. They will begin 2024 with two MAC nonconference opponents in Akron and Western Michigan. Ryan Day has been able to reach the end of the season with a winning record.
That is of course until he has played the Michigan Wolverines. Whether on the road or at home in 2022, the Buckeyes head coach has not gotten over the hump. The Ohio State team is on a quest to win the Big Ten East division where they have landed in the second place spot since 2021.
For many fans, they are wanting to see a pursuit of national titles, and not just possibly having a chance. If Ohio State does not reach this in 2024, it may be time for Day to leave the Ohio State Buckeyes football program. That side of the division has seen dominance from their arch-rival, which is seen as a failure by Buckeye fans not getting the job done.
This could be the year if things come together. More so, on the offensive side of the ball than on defensive. Players will have to step up if they want an opportunity to play for the ultimate prize at the start of 2025!
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James has been a sportswriter for two years. He is a close follower of college sports, the NFL, and MLB—a fan of the Michigan Wolverines, Green Bay Packers, and the Atlanta Braves. He is a substitute teacher for grades 9–12 and has enjoyed his time helping students learn in the classroom over the last eight years. Follow me on Twitter/X (@michfan20).
