Buckeye Breakfast How many games is Ohio State football expected to win in 2025?
As the 2025 college football season approaches, Ohio State’s program is gearing up for another highly anticipated campaign. With a rich history of success, particularly in the Big Ten Conference, the Buckeyes are expected to be one of the top contenders for both conference and national championships. Head coach Ryan Day continues to build a program that combines tradition with modern football innovations, and expectations are high for what the Buckeyes can achieve in 2025. But the question on many fans’ minds is: how many games can Ohio State realistically be expected to win in 2025?
Ohio State’s Recent Success and High Expectations
Ohio State has been one of the most successful programs in college football for over a decade. With a storied history of conference championships, playoff appearances, and national title runs, the Buckeyes are a perennial powerhouse. Since Ryan Day took over as head coach in 2019, the program has continued its legacy of excellence, maintaining a winning culture and recruiting elite talent. Despite facing significant turnover on the coaching staff, Ohio State’s depth, leadership, and program continuity have allowed the team to stay at the top of college football.
In 2025, Ohio State enters the season as one of the favorites in the Big Ten and a legitimate contender for the College Football Playoff (CFP). The Buckeyes have not only a roster full of talented players but also a coaching staff led by Day that is capable of navigating the pressure of high expectations. However, even for a program of Ohio State’s caliber, the path to victory is never guaranteed, and a number of factors must be taken into account when predicting how many games the Buckeyes will win.
Key Factors Impacting Ohio State’s 2025 Season
Several key elements will play a crucial role in determining how successful Ohio State can be in 2025. These include:
- Quarterback Play One of the most important factors for Ohio State in 2025 will be the play of their starting quarterback. With CJ Stroud potentially leaving for the NFL after the 2024 season, the Buckeyes will need a new signal-caller to step up. Whether it’s Kyle McCord, Devin Brown, or a freshman making an impact, the quarterback position will be one of the most watched battles in the lead-up to the 2025 season. Ohio State has a tradition of developing top-tier quarterbacks, and the right decision at this position could determine the team’s success.
- Offensive Line Development Ohio State’s offensive line has been a hallmark of its success in recent years. The team has consistently had one of the best offensive lines in the nation, giving quarterbacks ample time to throw and opening lanes for the running game. In 2025, the Buckeyes will need to replace key pieces on the offensive line, and how well they can reload at this position will directly impact the performance of the offense. Strong offensive line play will be necessary to protect the quarterback, whether it’s for a new starter or for a veteran, and to establish a reliable ground game.
- Defensive Improvements The Buckeyes have long been known for their aggressive and hard-hitting defense, but in recent years, there have been some questions about whether the defense is living up to its potential. In 2025, Ohio State will need to make significant strides on defense, particularly in the secondary. With an experienced defensive line and linebacker group, the Buckeyes should have the talent to challenge opposing offenses, but improvement in coverage and defensive depth will be key to success.
- The Big Ten Competition Ohio State’s path to the College Football Playoff is largely dictated by its success in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes face stiff competition from traditional rivals like Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin. Michigan has been a thorn in Ohio State’s side in recent years, and the rivalry game in 2025 will be crucial. Penn State, with its talent on both sides of the ball, is another team capable of challenging Ohio State for the conference title. How Ohio State performs in these critical conference matchups will go a long way in determining how many games the team wins in 2025.
- The College Football Playoff System The new playoff system in 2025 could also impact Ohio State’s chances. As college football continues to evolve, the expanded playoff will provide more opportunities for teams to make the postseason. If Ohio State can win the Big Ten and avoid major upsets, the Buckeyes will likely make the playoff, but it is worth noting that the competition for spots in the four-team and expanded playoff field will be fierce.
The 2025 Ohio State Schedule Breakdown
To estimate how many games Ohio State can expect to win in 2025, it’s important to look at their full schedule, including both non-conference and conference games. The Buckeyes’ schedule will feature several tough opponents, but also a few opportunities to build momentum.
1. Non-Conference Games Ohio State’s non-conference schedule will include a mix of competitive matchups. One of the most anticipated games will be against Notre Dame, a team that has often been a formidable opponent in recent seasons. In addition to that, the Buckeyes will likely face off against some other non-Power Five teams. Historically, Ohio State has had no trouble in these matchups, but as seen in previous seasons, even a slight misstep can cost a team a spot in the playoff race. A slip-up in non-conference games would be damaging, but Ohio State should enter these contests as the clear favorite in most cases.
2. Big Ten Games The Big Ten Conference will be Ohio State’s toughest test in 2025, as the Buckeyes will face off against several high-level teams. Let’s break down some of the critical conference matchups:
- Michigan: Ohio State’s annual rivalry with Michigan will be as intense as ever. The Wolverines have been a thorn in the side of the Buckeyes in recent seasons, and the 2025 game could be crucial for both teams’ playoff hopes. Michigan has built a strong program under Jim Harbaugh, and this game will likely be one of the hardest on the schedule. It’s always hard to predict, but Ohio State will need to make adjustments in order to reclaim dominance in this rivalry.
- Penn State: The Nittany Lions are another formidable opponent in the Big Ten, and Penn State always seems to bring its best when facing Ohio State. With talent on both sides of the ball, this game will likely determine which team can challenge Michigan for the top spot in the conference. Ohio State should enter this game with confidence, but Penn State will be tough to beat in Happy Valley.
- Wisconsin and Iowa: Traditionally strong in the Big Ten West, Wisconsin and Iowa are programs that can pose challenges to Ohio State’s playoff ambitions. While the Buckeyes are the more talented team on paper, these games are never easy, particularly when played in the hostile environments of Camp Randall and Kinnick Stadium.
- Other Big Ten Teams: Indiana, Minnesota, and other Big Ten teams might not pose the same level of challenge as Michigan or Penn State, but Ohio State cannot afford to overlook any opponent. Dropping games against lower-ranked teams is often the difference between a playoff berth and a missed opportunity.
Predicting Ohio State’s Wins in 2025
Taking all these factors into account, let’s make an educated prediction about how many games Ohio State can realistically win in 2025:
- Non-Conference Games: Ohio State will likely win all of their non-conference games. While teams like Notre Dame could pose a challenge, the Buckeyes should have the edge in talent, coaching, and depth. The Buckeyes should finish their non-conference schedule undefeated.
- Big Ten Games: The Big Ten schedule will be tougher. Michigan remains the biggest obstacle, but Ohio State will still be favored in most of their Big Ten matchups. I anticipate Ohio State to finish the regular season with a record of 11-1 or 12-0. Their only potential losses could come in the rivalry game against Michigan or a challenging road matchup against Penn State or Wisconsin.
How Many Wins in 2025?
Given the talent on the roster, the leadership of Ryan Day, and Ohio State’s proven track record of success, the Buckeyes can reasonably be expected to win at least 11 games in 2025. The team’s most likely loss would come against Michigan, but Ohio State should be able to recover and remain a top contender for both the Big Ten title and a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes’ success in 2025 will largely hinge on their quarterback play and defense, but if they can avoid significant upsets, a 12-1 season and a potential playoff berth are well within reach.
Ultimately, Ohio State’s ceiling in 2025 is high. A 12-0 regular season with a Big Ten Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff is entirely possible. However, even with the uncertainty at quarterback and other positions, the Buckeyes will be among the top teams in the nation and should be expected to contend for a championship, making 2025 another exciting season for Ohio State football.
