As the 2025 season begins, the Ohio State Buckeyes face a significant question.

As the 2025 season begins, the Ohio State Buckeyes face a significant question: Can they reclaim their position at the top of college football after falling short in the previous seasons? The Buckeyes, a perennial powerhouse in the sport, have seen their fair share of success over the years but have yet to capture a national title since their 2014 championship victory. With an ever-evolving landscape of college football, Ohio State’s quest for greatness in 2025 presents challenges, opportunities, and a sense of urgency for a team with both high expectations and a proud history.

The End of an Era

The 2024 season was a tale of unfulfilled promises for Ohio State. After a series of strong recruiting classes, the Buckeyes entered the season with high hopes. Yet, despite an explosive offense led by quarterback Kyle McCord, they faltered when it mattered most. A heartbreaking loss to Michigan in the regular season, followed by a semifinal defeat in the College Football Playoff, left Ohio State fans wondering when the program would return to its glory days.

As the 2025 season looms, there is an air of uncertainty about the direction the Buckeyes will take. Head coach Ryan Day, who has posted an impressive record in his first few seasons, is now under significant pressure to deliver a national championship. Though his tenure has been successful in many ways, the absence of a national title during his time in Columbus has raised questions about his ability to get the team over the final hurdle.

A major shift for the 2025 season is the departure of key players from Ohio State’s previous rosters. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, one of the most highly touted quarterbacks to ever play for the Buckeyes, is now playing in the NFL, leaving a gap at the position that needs to be filled. In addition to Stroud’s departure, Ohio State must also replace star players at wide receiver, running back, and along the defensive line.

While talent is never in short supply at Ohio State, the question of whether the team can find a new identity in 2025 looms large. They have the pieces, but can they fit together in a way that will propel them to a national championship?

A New Quarterback, New Opportunities

The most immediate challenge for Ohio State in 2025 is finding a new leader under center. With C.J. Stroud off to the NFL, the Buckeyes have a few options at quarterback, but none of them are proven at the highest level of competition. Kyle McCord, who served as Stroud’s backup in 2024, has shown flashes of promise, but he has yet to prove himself as a starter over the course of an entire season.

McCord’s development will be critical for Ohio State’s success in 2025. He has the tools to succeed: a strong arm, good mobility, and the poise to lead the offense. However, he must now prove that he can handle the immense pressure that comes with being the starting quarterback at one of college football’s premier programs. McCord will also have to establish chemistry with a receiving corps that has undergone significant changes, with the departures of standout wide receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka.

The Buckeyes will also have to develop depth at the quarterback position, as McCord will be under intense scrutiny from the fanbase, the media, and the opposition. If McCord struggles, true freshman Devin Brown could be an option, but starting a freshman at quarterback for a program with such lofty expectations can often be a risky proposition.

Rebuilding the Skill Positions

Ohio State’s offense has long been known for its explosive skill position players, and the 2025 season will be no different—though the faces may be new. The Buckeyes have a stable of talented running backs, including Travion Henderson, who has shown flashes of brilliance in his previous seasons. Henderson will be a key part of Ohio State’s offense, as a strong running game can help alleviate pressure on McCord as he adjusts to being the starting quarterback.

At wide receiver, Ohio State has a tradition of producing NFL talent, and 2025 should be no exception. While Harrison and Egbuka’s departures will be felt, the Buckeyes still have a talented group of receivers waiting to step up. Players like Julian Fleming, who has had flashes of brilliance but has yet to establish himself as a consistent threat, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who returns from injury, will be counted on to provide big plays and leadership.

The development of Ohio State’s offensive line will also be crucial. While the team has consistently recruited elite offensive linemen, the 2025 season will feature a new set of starters who will need to gel quickly to provide McCord with the time and protection he needs. With a solid offensive line, Ohio State’s offense will have the foundation it needs to be a contender in 2025.

Defense: The Key to Championship Success

While Ohio State’s offense has often been the focal point of the team’s success, it is the defense that will likely determine how far they go in 2025. In recent years, Ohio State’s defense has been a point of concern, with the Buckeyes failing to consistently stop high-powered offenses when it mattered most. The 2024 season saw improvements on that side of the ball, but the defense will need to take another step forward if Ohio State is to compete for a national championship.

The most significant change to Ohio State’s defense in 2025 will be the addition of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who is expected to make a major impact in his second year with the program. Knowles, who came to Ohio State from Oklahoma State, has already shown that he can implement a more aggressive, attacking style of defense. However, the real test will be whether his defense can perform consistently against the elite offenses in the Big Ten and on the national stage.

Key players on defense include linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, who emerged as one of the best in the country in 2024, and cornerback Denzel Burke, who has the potential to be a shutdown corner. If Ohio State can continue to develop players like Eichenberg and Burke, they will have the talent needed to make life difficult for opposing offenses.

The defensive line will also play a crucial role in Ohio State’s success in 2025. The Buckeyes have recruited some of the best defensive linemen in the country, and players like J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer will be expected to wreak havoc in the backfield. If Ohio State can generate pressure on the quarterback while also stopping the run, they will have a balanced and effective defense.

The Big Ten Gauntlet

While Ohio State is undoubtedly one of the best teams in the country, the Buckeyes face stiff competition within the Big Ten. Michigan, their archrival, has emerged as one of the most formidable teams in college football in recent years, and their dominance in 2024 left Ohio State searching for answers. The Buckeyes’ rivalry with Michigan will be as fierce as ever, and a win over the Wolverines will be essential for Ohio State’s chances of making the College Football Playoff.

Additionally, teams like Penn State, Wisconsin, and Iowa will provide challenges throughout the regular season. Ohio State must navigate a tough schedule, and any slip-ups could derail their national title hopes.

The Big Ten’s playoff representation could be a factor in determining Ohio State’s path to the postseason. With the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, the Buckeyes are likely to get in, but they will need to perform at a high level in conference play to secure a favorable seed.

The Road Ahead

As the 2025 season begins, Ohio State has all the ingredients necessary to be a championship contender. The team’s talent pool remains among the deepest in college football, with an explosive offense and a defense that is on the rise. However, the question marks surrounding the quarterback position, as well as the challenges presented by a tough Big Ten schedule, make this season one of high stakes.

If Ryan Day can guide his team to greater consistency on both sides of the ball, Ohio State could very well find itself back in the national title conversation. But until the Buckeyes can prove they can consistently perform at the highest level, the 2025 season will remain a test of their ability to live up to the immense expectations that come with being one of college football’s elite programs. The road to the national championship is a long one, and for Ohio State, it starts now.