Ohio State Football 2023 preview: Way too early season prediction, key matchups, players to watch, roster, and more
The Ohio State football program is the winningest team in Division 1 based on percentage and is in one of the best places it has been since the Urban Meyer era. Today we predict the 2023–2024 Ohio State Buckeyes.
Ohio State has the most interesting outlook of all the top programs heading into the 2023 football season.
The stress levels in Columbus would be far less if Noah Ruggles' game-winning field goal finds the middle of the uprights. Ohio State had a real chance at defeating TCU in the championship game, considering they took the team that won it to the limits. All that team did to TCU was beat them by 58 points.
But here we are. The Buckeyes must prove all of the doubters and haters wrong because of one or two Season-defining moments. It’s not gonna be any easier.
Way too early season prediction for Ohio State
A botched field goal going differently and 2023 looks completely different for the Buckeyes. Nevertheless, that’s not what happened. So Ryan Day, his ability to win the big one, and the direction of the Ohio State Buckeyes are all in question.
Despite it, there’s no reason to predict anything other than Ohio State returning to the college football playoff and the Big Ten championship game.
Key matchups for the 2023 season
A trip in late September looms large on the Ohio State season. Notre Dame will be a top 10 opponent most likely, setting up a huge moment in first-year starter Kyle McCord’s career.
The Buckeyes will be heavily favored in the remainder of their schedule, which can be a test of its own. It all comes down to November 25, when they go to the biggest college football stadium in America to face the Michigan Wolverines.
Players to watch
Marvin Harrison Jr., son of NFL legend and Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, is the can’t-miss wide receiver prospect for Ohio State football. It’ll be his high school teammate Kyle McCord who has the job of following up the two-time Heisman finalist, C.J. Stroud.
McCord's supporting cast is headlined by Harrison but littered with NFL talent at every unit. Emeka Egbuka is spectacular in his own right across from Marvin Harrison Junior. Julian Fleming is the most consistent receiver in the NCAA (we see you Ladd McConckey.) TreVeyon Henderson returns, leading an explosive backfield.
The defense is loaded with its own stars at all three levels; including J.T. Tuimoloau, Denzel Burke, and Michael Hall Junior.
Ohio State's starters can stand toe-to-toe with anyone in College Football.
Roster analysis
Despite losing quite a bit of impact players to the NFL, Ohio State retains nearly half of its starting lineup from last year. The onus is on Kyle McCord to continue the trend of dominant Buckeye quarterbacks.
The team has few weaknesses, is a titan in recruiting, and pulled some huge names out of the transfer portal such as Ja’had Carter.
Coaching staff and strategies
The Ohio State defense looked much improved with first-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. That is, of course, until the two most important games of the season.
Against Michigan and Georgia, the Buckeye’s defense gave up 45 points in each. It’s simply far too many to count on to win big games. It took away all goodwill of the offseason coaching grab from Oklahoma State.
Despite their annual shattering of records, Ryan Day comes under fire for his late-game decision-making. There’s no reason to believe Ohio State’s offense won’t score at an incredible clip, the question is, can they do it when it matters the most?
CJ Stroud was scorching hot and Georgia was on their heels. Ryan Day then decided to take the ball out of his Heisman finalists hands, run the ball and lose a yard and burn a timeout.
Sometimes coaches overthink things.
The most interesting aspect of their offense going into 2023 is that Ryan Day told Kirk Herbstreit that he does not plan to call plays next season.
Expectations and goals
When you put on the scarlet and gray, there are only two goals.
- Defeat the team up north
- When a national championship
Despite all Ryan Day has done (winning more games than anybody, not named Kirby Smart) he will continue to get the vitriol of the Ohio State faithful.
There is no reason to think they can’t. Unless you believe that Ryan Day’s staff will fall apart in the biggest moments once more.