Ohio State’s Tough Schedule Could Derail Playoff Hopes

The Ohio State Buckeyes are back in the national championship conversation, and honestly, that’s no surprise. With Ryan Day at the helm, plus quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, they’ve got the kind of talent you just can’t ignore.

The 2024 season, though, is looking brutal. Their schedule? It’s stacked with tough matchups, both at home and on the road. That might be the toughest thing standing between them and another title.

The Ohio State Buckeyes’ Consistent Excellence

Ohio State’s been a constant force in college football for what feels like forever. Since 2005, they’ve hit double-digit wins every year except one—talk about consistency.

They’ve snagged two national championships in the College Football Playoff era, with the latest coming in 2024. That’s a pretty high standard, and it makes any potential stumble feel a lot bigger.

Leadership and Star Power

Ryan Day’s been a huge part of keeping Ohio State at the top. His coaching, mixed with the skills of Sayin and Smith, makes them a real threat this year.

Sayin’s got a knack for leading the offense, and Smith is always a danger when the ball’s in his hands. If those two click, watch out.

A Gauntlet of a Schedule

But even with all that talent, the Buckeyes’ 2024 schedule is a beast. They’re hitting the road against Texas, Iowa, Indiana, USC, and Nebraska. Not exactly a walk in the park, right?

Each of those teams brings something different to the table. Ohio State can’t afford to take a week off, not if they want to get through unscathed.

Challenging Road Games

Greg McElroy from ESPN didn’t mince words about it on *Always College Football*. He called Ohio State’s road slate a “survival test,” and honestly, he might be right.

Back-to-back road games against Texas, Indiana (yep, defending champs), USC, and Iowa? That’s a gauntlet most teams would dread.

Home Games Provide No Respite

Home games aren’t exactly a breather, either. Michigan, Oregon, and Illinois are all coming to Columbus this year.

All three are expected to be ranked, so even in their own stadium, the Buckeyes won’t catch much of a break.

Historical Context

It’s been a while since Ohio State’s faced a schedule this tough. The last couple of years, they only played three ranked teams in the regular season.

Now, they’re staring down six projected ranked opponents. That’s a serious step up, and it’s going to push them in ways they haven’t seen lately.

The Path to Another Championship

There’s no question—Ohio State’s got the pieces to chase another national title. But this schedule? It’s going to make things a lot more complicated than usual.

If they manage to run this gauntlet and still make the playoff, that might be Ryan Day’s most impressive season yet.

Potential Pitfalls

This schedule could easily trip them up. Between the tough road trips and the stacked home games, there’s not much margin for error.

One bad week could derail everything. But hey, that’s what makes college football fun, isn’t it?

Conclusion

The Ohio State Buckeyes look ready to make another big run in college football this year. Their roster is stacked with talent, and the coaching staff has plenty of experience on big stages.

But, let’s be honest—their 2024 schedule is no joke. There are some tough games, both at home and out on the road, that could really test them.

Greg McElroy even called it a “survival test” for the Buckeyes. That’s not an exaggeration.

If they manage to get through it, well, that’ll say a lot about this team’s grit. Want to dig deeper? Check out the full article on Sports Illustrated.