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Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule Predictions by Game: Is the Big Ten Title in Reach?
Is it possible for the Ohio State Buckeyes to win the new, tough Big Ten schedule and qualify for the College Football Playoffs?
15 hours ago | Matt Galatzan
Jan. 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA: In the second half of the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium, wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) of the Oregon Ducks dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Liberty Flames. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Joe Camporeale
Jan. 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA: In the second half of the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium, wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) of the Oregon Ducks dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Liberty Flames. Joe Camporeale of USA TODAY Sports and Joe Camporeale of USA TODAY Sports are required to be credited.
In this narrative:
The Ohio State Buckeyes

Khalif Battle of Arkansas is transferred to Gonzaga.

The Ohio State Buckeyes will face a new obstacle in 2024 as they prepare for the season.

With the addition of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington from the PAC 12, the Big Ten will officially welcome four new institutions this summer. This will create one of the most anticipated seasons in Columbus’ recent history.

Ryan Day’s squad will see road tests against Oregon, Penn State, and Michigan State, as well as a neutral site game at Wrigley Field against Northwestern and the yearly rivalry game with Michigan in Columbus. It won’t be an easy trip, either.

How will the Buckeyes do in the redesigned Big Ten, then?

We examine the schedule game by game and provide our forecasts below:

1. August 31 against Akron
On Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, University of Akron defensive back Nate Thompson presses Ohio quarterback Kurtis Rourke while he throws a pass.
On Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, University of Akron defensive back Nate Thompson presses Ohio quarterback Kurtis Rourke while he throws a pass. Beacon Journal / Phil Masturzo / USA
The 2-10 team from the previous season, Akron, will be the first opponent the Buckeyes face this season. Getting adequate in-game reps for should help the Buckeyes decide on a starting quarterback if, like last year, they haven’t made up their mind yet. The Buckeyes win in either case.

57 Ohio State, 3 Akron

2. Western Michigan on Sept. 7
Oct. 7, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA: In the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field, quarterback Jack Salopek (6) of the Western Michigan Broncos attempts a pass against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Required Credit: Matt Bush/USA TODAY Sports October 7, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA: In the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field, quarterback Jack Salopek (6) of the Western Michigan Broncos attempts to pass the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports / USA TODAY Sports / Matt Bush
Here’s another simple test for the MAC’s Buckeyes. This will enable the defense to improve and provide the offense with another opportunity to sharpen its craft. Again, the Buckeyes win handily.

State of Ohio 48 Western Michigan 6

3. Marshall on September 21st
Dec. 19, 2023; Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX, USA: Marshall Thundering Herd quarterback Cole Pennington (12) tosses a ball against the UTSA Roadrunners during the fourth quarter. Required Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports December 19, 2023; Frisco, TX, USA: Cole Pennington, 12, of the Marshall Thundering Herd, throws a pass against the UTSA Roadrunners at Toyota Stadium during the fourth quarter. The following credit is required: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports.
A third consecutive non-power conference club travels to Columbus following an early bye week. Marshall has some momentum going into 2024 after finishing with a 6-7 record last year. Nevertheless, they lack much too much quality to compete with the Buckeyes. We also anticipate that by now Will Howard will be firmly established as the starting quarterback.

52 Ohio State
Marshall 13

4. At Michigan State on September 28
At Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, April 20, 2024, during the Spring Showcase, Aidan Chiles of Michigan State tosses a pass.
At Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, April 20, 2024, during the Spring Showcase, Aidan Chiles of Michigan State tosses a pass. United States / Nick King/Lansing State Journal
It could be difficult for the Buckeyes to go to East Lansing to play Michigan State in their first major test. With the addition of Aidan Chiles as their primary quarterback and the hiring of Jonathan Smith as head coach, the Spartans have newfound hope. But the Buckeyes are simply too good.

Michigan State 20 Ohio State 38

5. October 5th versus Iowa
At an open spring practice on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, quarterback Deacon Hill (10) is speaking with offensive coordinator Tim Lester of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
At an open spring practice on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, quarterback Deacon Hill (10) is speaking with offensive coordinator Tim Lester of the Iowa Hawkeyes. / Iowa City Press/Julia Hansen2024 will see one of the best defenses in college football for Citizen/Iowa, which might lead to a rough and tumble game at Ohio Stadium. It is difficult to see how the Hawkeyes will score enough points to keep up with Ohio State, though.

Ohio University 24 Iowa 9

6. October 12 in Oregon
Jan. 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA: In the second half of the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium, wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) of the Oregon Ducks dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Liberty Flames. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Joe Camporeale
Jan. 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA: In the second half of the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium, wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) of the Oregon Ducks dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Liberty Flames. Joe Camporeale of USA TODAY Sports and Joe Camporeale of USA TODAY Sports are required to be credited.
For many people, this will be the game of the year. As one of the favorites to challenge the Buckeyes for a conference title, Oregon enters the Big Ten. Bo Nix is no longer under center, thus Dylan Gabriel will take his place, so the drop down won’t be as severe. It will be the toughest test Ohio State has faced all year when Autzen Stadium is included. Though it’s tight, we believe the Buckeyes prevail.

34 Oregon State 37 Ohio State

7. October 26 against Nebraska
Head coach Matt Rhule of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the third quarter of the team’s game versus the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium, November 11, 2023, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. Required Credit: Dylan Widger/USA TODAY Sports November 11, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Matt Rhule, head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium against the Maryland Terrapins. Dylan Widger of USA TODAY Sports and Dylan Widger of USA TODAY Sports are required to be credited.
Under Matt Rhule, Nebraska is beginning to turn things around. Things could become complicated if Dylan Riaola plays behind center for the Cornhuskers. He won’t be prepared, though, for what he sees in the defense of the Buckeyes.

31 Ohio State, 13 Nebraska

8. Penn State on November 2.
Drew Allar, 15, of the Penn State Nittany Lions, tosses a pass during the first quarter of Beaver Stadium’s Blue White spring game on April 13, 2024, in University Park, Pennsylvania, USA. The Blue squad was trounced 27-0 by the White team. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Matt O’Haren
Drew Allar, 15, of the Penn State Nittany Lions, tosses a pass during the first quarter of Beaver Stadium’s Blue White spring game on April 13, 2024, in University Park, Pennsylvania, USA. The Blue squad was trounced 27-0 by the White team. Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports / Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports must be credited.
Penn State provides all the necessary resources for a national title challenger to succeed, making them another tough road test for Ohio State. The issue facing the Nittany Lions has been Drew Allar, their quarterback, when he is not in Happy Valley. Fortunately for them, Beaver Stadium will host this game, and the X Factor will be in attendance. In a defensive slugfest, Penn State creates the first—and maybe the only—tear on Ohio State’s resume of the whole season.

Ohio State 16 – Penn State 19

9. Nov. 9 vs. Purdue Nov. 11, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; in the first half at Ross-Ade Stadium, Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) celebrates with tight end Ben Furtney (41) following a touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Required Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports November 11, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; quarterback Hudson Card (1) of the Purdue Boilermakers celebrates with tight end Ben Furtney (41) following a score at Ross-Ade Stadium in the first half versus the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports / Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports is Required Credit
After losing to Penn State, Ohio State will be furious and will definitely vent their frustrations on Hudson Card and the Boilermakers.

Ohio State 42
Purdue 17

10. November 16 vs. Northwestern (Chicago) November 5, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA: Brendan Sullivan (10) of the Northwestern Wildcats tosses a pass during the first half of Ryan Field’s NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Northwestern Wildcats. Required Citation: The Columbus Dispatch’s Adam Cairns
Nov. 5, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA: Brendan Sullivan (10) of the Northwestern Wildcats throws a pass during the first half of Ryan Field’s NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Northwestern Wildcats. Required Credit: USA / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
The location of the game will make it enjoyable. However, Ohio State will outshine and outmatch the Wildcats in nearly every aspect. Ohio State wins the series for the eleventh time in a row and the thirty-sixth time overall.

Northwestern 10 – Ohio State 35

11. November 23 against Indiana
Head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, Curt Cignetti, speaks with his squad on Thursday, April 18, 2024, following the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium.
Head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, Curt Cignetti, speaks with his squad on Thursday, April 18, 2024, following the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium. / Bobby Goddin/USA TODAY / Herald-Times
If the Buckeyes can complete the remainder of their schedule spotless, they will be well-positioned to earn a trip to the Big Ten title game and possibly a rematch with Penn State. Lowley, Indiana won’t stand in the way of it.

41 Ohio State, 7 Indiana

12. Michigan vs. November 30
On Monday, January 8, 2024, in NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, during the first half of the national championship game, Michigan running back Donovan Edwards scores a touchdown.
On Monday, January 8, 2024, in NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, during the first half of the national championship game, Michigan running back Donovan Edwards scores a touchdown. / USA TODAY NETWORK; Junfu Han
For the majority of supporters on both sides of this rivalry, 2024 should be another thrilling edition of The Game—regardless of the stakes. Ohio State is determined to avenge their losses and snap their losing skid against their fierce rivals. Michigan intends to sabotage Ohio State’s pursuit of the Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoffs. But Ohio State is the superior team, and Will Howard’s quarterbacking will be crucial as the Buckeyes gain ground in the fourth quarter.

34 for Ohio State
Michigan 21

13. Penn State at the Big Ten Championship on December 7 (Indianapolis)
Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions leads his team onto the field prior to the game versus Michigan State at Ford Field on November 24, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/David Reginek
Nov. 24, 2023; Penn State; Detroit, Michigan, USA Before the Nittany Lions’ game at Ford Field against Michigan State, head coach James Franklin leads his squad out onto the field. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports / David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Divisions in the Big Ten have been eliminated with the inclusion of the four new PAC 12 clubs, setting up a rematch between Ohio State and Penn State at Lucas Oil Stadium. In the first game, we believed that Happy Valley’s crowd would be the decisive element. Here, that won’t be the case. Second, especially against a squad like the Buckeyes defense, it’s extremely difficult to defeat the same team twice in a single season. In a thrilling victory, Ohio State wins the Big Ten championship.

Ohio State 24
21 Penn State