Ohio State football will enter the 2025 season with a target on its back. Fresh off a national championship last season, their first since 2014, the Buckeyes have reasserted themselves as a powerhouse in college football. A high-octane offense and a relentless defense carried them to the top last year.
Yet, the road to repeating as champions looks daunting. Key players have departed for the NFL, new faces must step up, and a brutal schedule is ahead. To stay No. 1 in the 2025 title hunt, Ohio State must address one glaring weakness that could unravel their season if left unchecked.
The Gauntlet Awaits: Roster Turnover And Tough Opponents
The 2025 NFL draft took its toll on the 2024 championship roster. Standout performers like wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., running back TreVeyon Henderson, and defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau moved on to the pros, leaving gaps that demand immediate attention.
Young players and transfers now face the task of filling those shoes.
A season-opening clash with Texas, a perennial contender, sets a high-stakes tone. Road trips to Penn State and a home showdown with Michigan, the latter a rivalry game that always carries extra weight, further test the Buckeyes’ mettle.
Success in these battles hinges on cohesion and execution, areas where Ohio State cannot afford to falter.
Defensive Line Must Step Up in Clutch Moments
While the offense draws scrutiny, the defense cannot be overlooked. According to NCAA records, Ohio State’s 2024 unit was formidable. Yet, a closer look reveals cracks in big games.
A common theme in Ohio State’s last five regular season losses has been lack of pressure.
In the 2 losses to Oregon+3 losses to UM, OSU has gotten a total of 2 sacks in those five games.
Consistent lack of production from a well stocked defensive unit (Harrison, Sawyer, JTT).
— Ben Koo (@bkoo) October 13, 2024
In losses to Oregon and Michigan over recent years, the Buckeyes struggled to disrupt quarterbacks, managing just two sacks across five such contests. Elite passers like Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel exploited this, torching the secondary with time to throw.
The 2025 defensive line retains talent, with Jack Sawyer and Tyleik Williams returning as anchors. Both earned All-Big Ten honors in 2024, combining for 11.5 sacks.
However, depth took a hit with Tuimoloau’s exit, and younger players must prove they can pressure in crunch time. Against Texas and Penn State, both boasting mobile quarterbacks, this weakness could be exposed again if the front four fail to collapse the pocket.
Ohio State has ruled college football before, and the talent remains to do it again. Shore up the offensive line, and the Buckeyes could hoist another trophy. Stumble, and the throne awaits a new claimant. The 2025 hunt is on, and the trenches will decide the victor.
Buckeyes’ Offensive Line Needs Reinforcement
The 2024 unit paved the way for a balanced attack that averaged 429.4 yards per game. However, the departure of three starters, including left tackle Josh Simmons and guard Donovan Jackson, has left the line in flux. Both were multi-year contributors who anchored the front, and their absence creates a void that opponents are already eyeing.
Analysts point to the offensive tackles as the primary concern. Post-spring evaluations from PFF highlight a drop-off in experience at the position, with untested players stepping into starting roles.
Depth is another issue, as injuries could expose a lack of seasoned backups. This inexperience could prove costly against the elite pass rushers on the 2025 slate, like Texas’s Colin Simmons or Michigan’s Derrick Moore.
Efforts to rebuild have been proactive. Ohio State dipped into the transfer portal, adding talent like Josh Priebe from Northwestern to strengthen the interior. Spring practices showcased promise, with returning center Seth McLaughlin providing leadership.
Still, chemistry is what’s needed, and it takes time. Time is a luxury the Buckeyes lack, with Texas waiting in Week 1.
Will Howard, a transfer from Kansas State, emerges as the frontrunner to start. In 2024, Howard threw for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns with the Wildcats, per Fox Sports, showing flashes of brilliance. Yet, the leap to Ohio State’s spotlight brings new pressure, and his success depends heavily on the men up front.
A shaky line could leave Howard under constant duress, a scenario that plagued Kansas State at times last year. Ohio State’s receivers, including stars like Jeremiah Smith, thrive on timing routes, but that precision evaporates if Howard lacks a clean pocket.
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The run game, a staple of Ohio State’s identity, also hangs in the balance. Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson form a dynamic backfield duo, capable of gashing defenses.
However, the 2024 line opened holes for 5.5 yards per carry, per teams’ stat record, a mark the new group must match to keep defenses honest. Failure here risks a one-dimensional offense, a death knell against top-tier programs.
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