Predicting every game on the 2023 Ohio State Buckeyes football schedule
Ryan Day has plenty on his plate coming into his fifth season at Ohio State, looking to get back in front of the rivalry with Michigan after losing two straight, return to the Big Ten championship game, and win what would be the school's first national championship since the Buckeyes won the first College Football Playoff in 2014.
Related: A closer look at the 2023 Ohio State football schedule
What can the Buckeyes look forward to as they embark on the 2023 season? College Football HQ takes a stab at predicting every game on the slate, in one sentence.
at Indiana: OSU's receiving targets should slice up the Hoosiers' secondary easily enough while the front seven smothers IU's attempt to move the ball. Win
vs. Youngstown State: The Buckeyes have outscored the Penguins 81 to 6 in their last two meetings and nothing should change that this time around. Win
vs. Western Kentucky: Watch how OSU's secondary responds here against a Hilltopper offense that has been top 15 nationally the last two seasons and returns quarterback Austin Reed, who had almost 4,800 yards and 40 TDs a year ago. Win
at Notre Dame: This could get interesting, as the Irish bring on stud transfer quarterback Sam Hartman, playing behind an expert line, aided by a gifted backfield, and with home field advantage; but they don't have OSU's receivers or overall team speed, though it'll be close. Win
vs. Maryland: Taulia Tagovailoa is back after teasing the Buckeyes' defense a year ago and he has some credible receiving threats to help, but the Terps' protection is far from proven and the D will struggle to get stops at the right times. Win
at Purdue: A new-look Boiler team that returns only around half of last year's production but should be able to throw the ball with authority after signing transfer quarterback Hudson Card. Win
vs. Penn State: Watch for PSU's pass rush, which might be the best in the Big Ten this year, while the Nittany Lions look to establish the run early behind their two skilled backs, but James Franklin has yet to prove he can win this game. Win
at Wisconsin: Luke Fickell brought on some major transfers and will open this offense up with Tanner Mordecai (76 career pass TDs) spreading the field, an important test for the Buckeyes' back seven on the road at Camp Randall, but talent wins these games, and Ohio State still outranks the Badgers when accounting for pure skill, though this one will be close. Win
at Rutgers: Greg Schiano's team has some pieces in the front seven that can make enough of an impact early, but Rutgers can't protect the deeper third of the field. Win
vs. Michigan State: Sparty got smacked by the Buckeyes two years ago when they were actually good and now that team lost its starting quarterback and top receiver, and doesn't project to be that much better on the back end. Win
vs. Minnesota: There's a real test here against a Gophers defense that has been top 10 nationally in scoring the last two seasons and returns important playmakers in all phases, but Ohio State's skill pieces are well in rhythm by November. Win
at Michigan: Playing solid defense against quality competition in November hasn't been Ohio State's strong suit recently and Ryan Day's play calls have left something to be desired, trends that go against the Bucks when facing a Michigan team that returns its most important playmakers and that will have home field advantage. Loss
College Football HQ prediction: Ohio State finishes 11-1 overall with a 7-1 record in Big Ten games and finishes 2nd in the East Division.
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