It seems like all the Ohio State Buckeyes have to do is step on the field and they’ll win 10 games. Over the last 10 full seasons they’ve won at least 11 games hitting that mark last season before dropping their final two contests. OSU’s perfect season ended with a loss to arch rival Michigan in the regular season finale yet the Buckeyes still earned a College Football Playoff berth for the third time in four years losing to eventual national champion Georgia in the Peach Bowl semifinal. The Buckeyes will have a different look in 2023 with a new quarterback running an offense that ranked second nationally with more than 44 points per game. For the first time in years the QB spot is unsettled entering the season, though likely starter Kyle McCord and Devin Brown are more than capable of keeping the machine running.
College Football Season Wins Odds
Regular Season Wins for the Ohio State Buckeyes
Over 10.5 ( +105 )
Under 10.5 ( -121 )
With a projected win total of 10.5 there’s little margin for error. And with a new quarterback running the show it’s hard to know what to expect. The Buckeyes have navigated the waters of dual QBs in the past however this is something new for Ryan Day, who got two outstanding seasons each from Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud. And the pressure is on Day to beat Michigan after two significant setbacks.
Roster
The Buckeyes have had a long list of talented QBs over the years. Heck, they’ve been so good that a guy who couldn’t crack the starting lineup went on to have a Heisman Trophy and national championship winning campaign at another school. I think we all know the Joe Burrow story by now. While the trend may continue in 2023 the Buckeyes enter the campaign with some uncertainty at the position.
The front runner for the starting gig is Kyle McCord, a prototypical NFL prospect with size and a strong arm. And he’s been around the program for a few years helping with his adjustment. McCord played sparingly last season in mop up duty completing 16 of 20 passes with a TD. Should McCord to get the job done Devin Brown will be ready. Regardless of who takes snaps the offense should again be among the best in the country since it’s loaded with talent.
Led by Marvin Harrison Jr. the receivers are among the best if not the best in college football. Harrison had 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 TDs while Emeka Egbuka wasn’t far behind with 74 receptions, 1,151 yards and 10 scores. And that’s just for starters. Toss in Julian Fleming, who picked up the scraps with 34 catches for 533 yards, and NFL caliber tight end Cade Stover the starting QB will be hard pressed to fail.
Oh, and don’t forget about the run game. With a lethal 1-2 punch of TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams keeping opposing defenses off balance, the Buckeyes are able to dismantle even the best stop units. They amassed 467 yards and 41 points against Georgia last season.
Overall the defensive numbers were good finishing sixth in the Big Ten in total defense and seventh in scoring defense. There were some issues late in the season when facing top QBs around the country. Penn State’s Sean Clifford threw for 371 yards and both Michigan and Georgia averaged more than 11 yards per pass attempt in wins. More pressure from the defensive front will help the secondary and Day hit the portal for potential upgrades at both positions.
Schedule
Road games against Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Michigan are the big ones on the slate that could prevent the Buckeyes from reaching the OVER on their total. Unless they really screw up the other contests shouldn’t be a factor, and Big Ten games against everyone but Michigan have been wins under Day with the Buckeyes going 29-0 in those matchups. The other potential pitfall is against Penn State, but that one is in the horseshoe.
Prediction
Notre Dame is always overrated, Wisconsin is rebuilding with a new coach and scheme, and it’s been decades since the Buckeyes lost three straight to Michigan. Like last season there’s a good chance OSU is undefeated entering the showdown with that team up north. But with little margin for error and breaking in a new QB, the Buckeyes may not be as dominant leaving them vulnerable. And the Big Ten has gotten better making the UNDER the right play.
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