Ryan Day led Ohio State to a 12-0 regular season in his first year at the helm of the program in 2019.
Can he do it again this fall?
Those are the type of high expectations that surround the Buckeyes, who have one of the most talented rosters in the nation after retaining experienced upperclassmen and bringing in a handful of high-profile transfers.
The Buckeyes ease their way into the season. Their nonconference schedule lacks a marquee opponent from another major conference and includes an idle weekend in the middle of September.
But there are also tough stretches with road trips to Oregon and Penn State, a pair of preseason top-10 teams, as well as the annual rivalry game with Michigan, the defending national champion that was ranked as high as No. 8 in the US LBM preseason coaches poll.
How will Ohio State navigate the slate? Here are predictions for this fall, game by game.
Ohio State predictions for 2024 college football season
Aug. 31: Ohio State vs. Akron
Location: Ohio Stadium
Outlook: Since the Buckeyes began regularly playing Mid-American Conference schools in 1992, they have faced Akron as much as anyone from the league and handled the Zips each time. In the last meeting in 2021, Ohio State rolled in a 59-7 rout. Similar lopsidedness should ensue.
Prediction: Ohio State 49, Akron 0
Sept. 7: Ohio State vs. Western Michigan
Location: Ohio Stadium
Outlook: Jalen Buckley, the Broncos’ star running back who was among the leading rushers in the MAC last season, could pose more of a threat in Week 2, but this is still a matchup with a wide talent gap between programs at opposite ends of the Football Bowl Subdivision. After shaking off rust from the opening weekend, Ohio State rolls.
Prediction: Ohio State 52, Western Michigan 10
Sept. 21: Ohio State vs. Marshall
Location: Ohio Stadium
Outlook: Will the Buckeyes need a moment to find the right gear after an off week, resulting in a slow start? That’s about the only scenario in which they could stagger against the Thundering Herd, who slipped to 6-7 last season after going 9-4 in 2022.
Prediction: Ohio State 48, Marshall 13
Sept. 28: Ohio State at Michigan State
Location: Spartan Stadium; East Lansing, Michigan
Outlook: The Buckeyes’ average margin of victory over the Spartans the past four years was 38 points. Jonathan Smith, the former Oregon State coach who left his alma mater for Michigan State late last year, should improve upon the Mel Tucker era. But the dividends won’t be immediate. Another comfortable win awaits the Buckeyes in their Big Ten opener.
Prediction: Ohio State 35, Michigan State 10
Oct. 5: Ohio State vs. Iowa
Location: Ohio Stadium
Outlook: This could be a battle of unbeatens if the Hawkeyes prevail in their two trophy games in September against Iowa State and Minnesota. The X-factor is Tim Lester, who replaced Brian Ferentz as offensive coordinator. If he makes Iowa respectable on the offensive side of the ball, this could be far a more competitive tilt than the teams’ last meeting in 2022, a 54-10 win for the Buckeyes in which the Hawkeyes’ only touchdown originated from their defense.
Prediction: Ohio State 31, Iowa 17
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Oct. 12: Ohio State at Oregon
Location: Autzen Stadium; Eugene, Oregon
Outlook: The soft early schedule could catch up to the Buckeyes at this point as they visit one of the new Big Ten members. The Ducks were ranked No. 3 in the major preseason polls, only a spot below Ohio State, and boast a roster that is nearly as talented. Autzen Stadium, a hostile atmosphere, might be another factor in the rare Pacific Northwest road trip for the Buckeyes.
Prediction: Oregon 28, Ohio State 27
Oct. 26: Ohio State vs. Nebraska
Location: Ohio Stadium
Outlook: It’s Dylan Raiola's time at Nebraska. A highly touted freshman who was once committed to Ohio State, Raiola was named the starting quarterback this week and has a long runway before having to lead the Cornhuskers to Columbus. But the matchup favors Jim Knowles’ defense over an inexperienced signal caller in a bounce-back win for the Buckeyes.
Prediction: Ohio State 35, Nebraska 14
Nov. 2: Ohio State at Penn State
Location: Beaver Stadium; University Park, Pennsylvania
Outlook: How much can new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki help out Drew Allar, the strong-armed passer who struggled in last season’s game at Ohio State? The answer will go a long way toward shaping the result of this one. The gap at quarterback between the Big Ten powerhouses has been the predominant reason for the Buckeyes maintaining the upper hand.
Prediction: Ohio State 31, Penn State 20
Nov. 9: Ohio State vs. Purdue
Location: Ohio Stadium
Outlook: Don’t expect to see any “Spoilermakers” in Columbus. As much as anyone in the Big Ten, Ohio State knows to expect some upset risk from the Boilermakers, but it last lost to Purdue at the Horseshoe in 1988. It would be a surprise for this to be a close affair.
Prediction: Ohio State 42, Purdue 17
Nov. 16: Ohio State at Northwestern
Location: Wrigley Field; Chicago
Outlook: In the wake of a hazing scandal, David Braun led the Wildcats to an 8-5 finish, resulting in the removal of his interim tag. But can they move the ball well enough to remain competitive against the Buckeyes, especially after starting quarterback Brendan Sullivan transferred to Iowa?
Prediction: Ohio State 31, Northwestern 10
Nov. 23: Ohio State vs. Indiana
Location: Ohio Stadium
Outlook: The Buckeyes have won 29 consecutive games over the Hoosiers, the nation’s longest active winning over an opponent. It isn’t like to end as Indiana transitions with former James Madison coach Curt Cignetti at the helm.
Prediction: Ohio State 48, Indiana 13
Nov. 30: Ohio State vs. Michigan
Location: Ohio Stadium
Outlook: The practical stakes of The Game might be lower in an era of a division-less Big Ten and expanded College Football Playoff, but the pressure is high for the Buckeyes, who have lost three in a row to their bitter rivals, the longest since the 1990s. Their last triumph came in Day’s first season in 2019. With all the roster and staff turnover at Michigan, look for Ohio State to reverse the recent trend.
Prediction: Ohio State 28, Michigan 20
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter,@joeyrkaufman or email him atjkaufman@dispatch.com.
