A new year typically means a new opportunity for the Ohio State football team to make a run for another Big Ten title and spot in the College Football Playoff, especially over the last decade or so.
Even though the Buckeyes lost some key contributors to the NFL and graduation from last season, that doesn’t look to be any different in 2021. OSU still has plenty of talent to be the next man up because it recruits among the elite and develops its players better than almost any program out there.
So what are the expectations for Ohio State in 2021?
College Football News took a stab at looking at what the Buckeyes have coming back and how it relates to the schedule and provided an analysis on the best-case scenario, worst-case scenario, and likely record. You’ll be happy to know that the bar is set high and there’s belief that OSU can still be a monster in 2021.
Here’s what Pete Fiutak of College Football News has to say about how Ohio State will most likely navigate its schedule this fall.
NEXT … Worst case scenario
Worst Case Scenario (9-3)
What Fiutak says
” The Buckeyes drop the date with the Ducks to put the pressure on the rest of the way, and they misfire on one other game. They lose to Penn State, and worst of all, they finally get caught by Michigan to not only make it another year without a national championship, but it’ll be a year without a Big Ten title.”
NEXT … Best case scenario
Best Case Scenario (12-0)
What Fiutak says
“State rips through the schedule without breathing too hard. It beats Oregon, destroys Indiana after getting a week off to rest, and is happy to get Penn State at home.
There’s a bit of a brain-cramp battle at some point – like at Nebraska or maybe on the wrong day at home against Penn State – but the 12-0 team rolls into yet another Big Ten Championship.”
NEXT … Most likely scenario
Most Likely Scenario (11-1)
Fiutak doesn’t really get into predicting what game Ohio State will lose this fall, but if we just take a look at what might be the most difficult, you have to circle Oregon coming to Columbus early in the year before the Buckeyes have a chance to set things with a new quarterback and some key replacements on defense.
Aside from that, the game against Penn State at home, at Indiana, and (don’t laugh) the trip to Ann Arbor to face Michigan stick out. Theoretically speaking, the Ohio State could have a less-than-stellar game and trip up in one of those. But who really knows? I mean did we really expect OSU to get taken behind the woodshed at Iowa in 2017, or bludgeoned by Purdue in West Lafayette in 2018?
It’s college football, and we are amazed, surprised, disheartened, and lifted up at times that we can’t always see coming. Still, it sure looks like it should be another fun ride as an Ohio State fan once again in 2021.
