2025 Season: Are You Ready For Some Football?

[ScriptOhio]

Anyway, the future (including 2025) looks bright for Ohio State football (i.e. the defending National Champion).

The Ohio State Buckeyes' national championship trophy is a 24-karat gold-plated trophy that the team won in 2024. The Buckeyes won the championship with a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame in Atlanta.

I would think that scUM should drop considerably on this list once the NCAA hammer drops on their "cheating violations", etc. Loss of postseason eligibility, reduction in scholarships, recruiting restrictions, "show cause" on the coaches, and/or large fines can do that to an athletic program.....

 

[ScriptOhio]

Who are the contenders to win the Big Ten in 2025 besides Ohio State?

The defending national champions are certainly one of the favorites to win the Big Ten next year. What other teams should be in that conversation?

scarletandgame.com

Who are the contenders to win the Big Ten in 2025 besides Ohio State?​

The defending national champions are certainly one of the favorites to win the Big Ten next year. What other teams should be in that conversation?

The Ohio State football team is the defending national champions. They won the national title without winning the Big Ten, though. That honor went to Oregon after they went undefeated in the regular season. Then, they got smacked by the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl.

Ohio State will be one of the favorites to win the Big Ten next season. Despite the fact they lost a lot of talent from the national title-winning team, they still have Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs on the team. Those two players make them contenders to win the conference next year.

Other than the Ohio State Buckeyes, which other teams are in contention to win the Big Ten? Looking around the conference, there are three main foes that the Buckeyes need to worry about next season as they chase their first Big Ten title since 2020 and try to repeat as national champions.

These teams are the Ohio State football team's biggest threats in the Big Ten​

Penn State is the biggest threat to the Buckeyes next season. They bring back a lot of talent, including Drew Allar, Kaytron Allen, and Nick Singleton. The biggest issue for them is that they don't have any good receivers. Still, they are very talented on defense as well.

Oregon will be a contender again, although they won't be as good as they were in 2024. The Ducks have a very easy schedule, avoiding both Ohio State and Michigan. How well Dante Moore plays in his first year as starting quarterback will go a long way to determining if they are true contenders.

Michigan is not nearly as talented as Ohio State, Penn State, or Oregon. With that being said, they have what might be the easiest schedule in the Big Ten. * Their toughest game is against Ohio State, and they get the Buckeyes at home. There's a good chance they enter that game either 10-1 or 11-0.

Those three teams have the best shot to keep the Buckeyes from winning the Big Ten. Those three teams will also have a shot to make the College Football Playoff, too.

*Just sayin': Let's just hope that scUM is on a postseason ban in 2025 due to the NCAA cheating violations.

 

[Bestbuck36]

In a nutshell, Hell yes I'm ready!

 

[ScriptOhio]

Skull Session: Pete Carroll Calls Ryan Day and Ohio State “Incredible,” Jack Sawyer Still Thinks About His Scoop-and-Score and College Coaches Rave Over Max Klare

Pete Carroll calls Ryan Day and Ohio State “incredible,” Jack Sawyer still thinks about his scoop-and-score and college coaches rave over Max Klare.

www.elevenwarriors.com

“HE’S A PROBLEM.” This week, Antonio Morales and Sam Khan Jr. of The Athletic interviewed 13 college football coaches and staffers to learn more about what went down in the winter transfer portal window.

One of the questions Morales and Khan asked the six coaches and seven general managers, recruiting coordinators or directors of player personnel: Which school’s portal class did each of them like the most?

Two answered Ohio State.

“Ohio State did a great job,” a Power 4 director of player personnel said. “They just get really, really good quality. They’re very efficient with what they need in the portal. And Oregon. Both of those squads took some surefire guys and helped the areas they needed.

Added a Power 4 general manager, “Ohio State, to me, killed it.”

The Buckeyes landed six transfers in December and January: Running back CJ Donaldson Jr. (West Virginia), tight end Max Klare (Purdue), offensive tackles Ethan Onianwa (Rice) and Phillip Daniels (Minnesota), defensive end Logan George (Idaho State) and linebacker Ty Howard (Duquesne).

Of those half-dozen Buckeyes, the Power 4 director of player personnel wished he could have added Klare to his roster this offseason.

“He’s improving in all facets of his game, but as far as what he does with his pass-catching ability and his route running, he’s a problem,” he said.

With 51 catches, 685 yards and four touchdowns for a 1-11 Purdue team... yeah... Klare is a problem.

He'll be an even bigger one in Columbus with Day as his head coach and Brian Hartline as his offensive coordinator.

 

[ScriptOhio]

5 Reasons Ohio State 2025 Won’t Fade Like Michigan 2024​

Ohio State’s 2024 National Championship win has fans buzzing, but will 2025 bring a Michigan-like drop-off? Here’s why the Buckeyes are poised to defy the odds and stay elite.

After Ohio State’s National Championship win in 2024, speculation is growing that the Buckeyes will stumble in 2025 as Michigan did this year. Michigan’s 2024 season was a wake-up call—winning a title in 2023 didn’t guarantee success the following year. But Ohio State isn’t Michigan. Here are five solid reasons why the Buckeyes are set to keep rolling in 2025, avoiding the Wolverines’ post-championship slump.

1. A Manageable Schedule​

2. Stronger Returning Production​

3. Recruiting That Reloads​

4. A Loaded Quarterback Room​

5. Ryan Day’s Steady Hand​

 

[ScriptOhio]

Big Ten football power rankings as 2025 spring practice kicks off

Hope springs eternal as college football teams around the country return to the field to host workouts and get a first glimpse at what they have to work with on

www.si.com

Big Ten football power rankings as 2025 spring practice kicks off​

Who belongs where in the Big Ten football power rankings as 2025 spring practice gets underway.

Hope springs eternal as college football teams around the country return to the field to host workouts and get a first glimpse at what they have to work with on their rosters.

Sure, it’s just spring and first impressions can be misleading, particularly in an age of instant transfers and NIL incentives that can change what a roster looks like from spring to fall.

For the second-straight year, the Big Ten boasts college football’s reigning national champion after Ohio State took down Notre Dame, a year after Michigan defeated Washington for the crown.

Can the Big Ten do it a third time?

Let’s see what the conference is working with in 2025 as we preview the league’s power rankings moving into spring practice.

18. Purdue
17. Northwestern
16.Maryland
15. UCLA
14. Wisconsin
13. Michigan State
12. Washington
11. Rutgers
10. Minnesota
9. USC
8. Iowa
7. Nebraska
6. Indiana
5. Illinois
4. Michigan
3. Oregon
2. Penn State
1. Ohio State
Until proven otherwise, we’re keeping the Buckeyes atop the Big Ten rankings, but with some asterisks: Who’s the quarterback after Will Howard’s departure? Can they run the ball the same? Who will step up in the defensive front after so many veteran departures?

 

[ScriptOhio]

https://atozsports.com/college-football/ohio-state-buckeyes-news/ryan-day-osu-players-decision-woody-hates-athletic-center-national-championship/

Key Ohio State players make fascinating decision that shows how hungry they are to repeat their National Championship run​

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Ryan Day revealed on Monday that leaders on the team are taking an interesting approach to things this spring.

"One of the first things was, to reinforce the culture,” Day told the media. “The leaders of this group decided that they wanted to take some of the National Championship stuff down in the facility because this year's team didn't win that championship, last year's team did."
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Ohio State won’t have team captains until the fall, but the leadership committee is made up of players who could potentially be team captains. Think of seniors like Sonny Styles and Davison Igbinosun.

Winning it all back-to-back is a tough task. Georgia did it in 2021 and 2022, and Alabama did it in 2011 and 2012. After that, you have to go all the way back to 1994 and 1995 when Nebraska did it.

Ohio State is already making the right notions to show that they are hungry to not settle for the one National Championship, which is exactly what fans should want to see.

 

[ScriptOhio]

2025 Big Ten win totals, odds, picks: Predictions for every team as Ohio State, Oregon face big numbers

Breaking down win total predictions for each Big Ten team ahead of the 2025 season

www.cbssports.com

2025 Big Ten win totals, odds, picks: Predictions for every team as Ohio State, Oregon face big numbers​

Breaking down win total predictions for each Big Ten team ahead of the 2025 season​

Expectations often define success. A team could go 10-2 during the regular season and make the College Football Playoff, and leave fans underwhelmed because it was picked to win a conference or national title. Meanwhile, a team projected to win four games can create a positive buzz around the program with a. 7-6 campaign that includes a bowl win.

While expectations vary, a team's preseason win total is the most reliable metric for judging whether a team lived up to its standard. After all, sportsbooks aren't rooting for anybody; they're only interested in making money.

While it's only March, and the real games are months away, books have begun posting win totals for the 2025 season. So what better time to play out the entire season than right now? Sure, a lot of these schools don't even know who their starting quarterbacks are, and there will be another flurry of roster movement once the spring portal opens up, but there's no time for patience!

So I played out every game on the schedule in my head for all 18 Big Ten teams, and I know how the season will end. There's no longer any need to wait. We'll just ignore that when I did this exact exercise last year, I went 9-9 on my predictions for each team. This year, I'm setting my own over/under at 8.5. Odds below via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Ohio State​

Over/under 10.5 wins

Wins: Grambling, Ohio, at Washington, Minnesota, at Illinois, at Wisconsin, Penn State, at Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers, at Michigan
Losses: Texas

Analysis: I'll be honest with you. I expected to go under here. My belief was that Ohio State would be like a lot of champions in the modern game: still very good, but struggling to replace key starters in an era where you can no longer horde depth so easily. Then I did the exercise, and this team won 11 games anyway! The truth is, it'll all come down to whether they can win two of three games against Texas, Penn State, and Michigan. Clearly, I think they can. Pick: Over 10.5 (+128)

Just sayin': Now in a similar CBS article on the SEC a different CBS writer picked Texas to lose to Ohio State.....:

2025 SEC win totals, odds, picks: Predictions for every team as Alabama, Georgia, Texas lead pack

Breaking down the win totals for the 16 SEC teams and picking each game on the schedule in 2025

www.cbssports.com

Texas​

Over/under 9.5

Wins: San Jose State, UTEP, Sam Houston, at Florida, Oklahoma, at Kentucky, at Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Texas A&M
Losses: at Ohio State, at Georgia

Analysis: Before we discuss Arch Madness, let's focus on a few issues the Longhorns must address this offseason. Texas breaks in a new offensive line and must replace two of its top three receivers and two stellar defensive tackles. That said, the Longhorns have recruited exceptionally well and hit on some big pickups in the transfer portal, setting Arch Manning up for a big debut season as the full-time starting quarterback.

Many will project Texas' season based on its performance in the season opener at Ohio State, but we'll use that as a barometer rather than a judgment call. In fact, we're picking a loss. The toughest games on the schedule are at Georgia and Florida. We see a path to 10 wins, but barely. Pick: Over 9.5 (-200)

 

[ScriptOhio]

Ohio State’s depth chart solidifies a little more after their 2025 Spring Game

Ohio State had its Spring Game this Saturday afternoon, with position battles taking center stage.

scarletandgame.com

Ohio State’s depth chart solidifies a little more after their 2025 Spring Game​

Ohio State had its Spring Game this Saturday afternoon, with position battles taking center stage.

I projected Buckeye starters for 2025 shortly after they completed their 2024 National Championship season. Now, after completing their Spring Game, with the Scarlet beating the Gray 50-31, Ohio State doesn’t have many changes from January, but things are looking clearer. Quarterback Julian Sayin, wide receiver Mylan Graham, and cornerback Aaron Scott stood out the most for Ohio State.

Offense
QB: Julian Sayin OR Lincoln Kienholz
RB: CJ Donaldson
RB: James Peoples
TE: Max Klare
WR: Jeremiah Smith
WR: Carnell Tate
WR: Brandon Iniss
LT: Ethan Onianwa
LG: Luke Montgomery
C: Carson Hinzman
RG: Tegra Tshabola
RT: Phillip Daniels

Defense
DE: Caden Curry
DT: Eddrick Houston
DT: Kayden McDonald
DE: Kenyatta Jackson OR C.J. Hicks
LB: Arvell Reese
LB: Sonny Styles
DB: Davison Igbinosun
DB: Jermaine Matthews Jr.
DB: Caleb Downs
DB: Malik Hartford
DB: Aaron Scott Jr. or Devin Sanchez

Special Teams
K: Jayden Fielding
P: Joey McGuire
R: Caleb Downs

Quarterbacks​

Lincoln Kienholz was the first quarterback to take snaps after he did really well at the Student Appreciation Day in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. He didn’t play poorly but was a little overshadowed by Julian Sayin, who looked sharp from his first snap. Kienholz started a little rusty but settled in late in the first half with some great throws to Graham and Iniss. I don’t envy the decision Ryan Day will eventually have to make between Kienholz and Sayin. I believe he'll go with Julian Sayin.

Tavien St. Clair had a couple of bad interceptions, but the highly touted true freshman is young, and his struggles only show why Ryan Day will hope to keep Kienholz and Sayin on the roster through the year, no matter who the starter is. St. Clair did show that he wouldn’t quit and showed his athleticism and sheer raw potential after early struggles. He can run, and he threw a dime to fellow five-star freshman Quincy Porter toward the end of the third quarter.

Running backs​

CJ Donaldson looked good early and was the first running back to see action. Sam Williams-Dixon got in before James Peoples, but it’s still Donaldson’s and Peoples’ to lose. They’ll look to be a tandem like Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. Williams-Dixon and Bo Jackson will be right behind them, though, as Jackson showed some flashes of brilliance today.

Wide Receivers​

We know it goes Smith, Tate, and Iniss with Klare at tight end. Mylan Graham is going to make some plays, though. He made some really good catches and ran some good routes today. He’ll push for playing time. Ohio State is just so loaded with pass catchers. Max Klare looked great, and Jelani Thurman backed him up and pushed him as well.
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continued

 

[pnuts34]

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[ScriptOhio]

Anonymous Coaches' Comments on Ohio State in Athlon Sports CFB Magazine“

ear in and year out, this is the most talented program in the league and one of the most talented in the nation. The question every season is just if they can arrange that talent the right way.”

“Whoever wins the quarterback battle has one of the best receiver rooms in the country.”

“The defense is stocked; defensive tackle might be their question mark, but they’re going to dominate in league play.”

“The resilience of [Ryan] Day and his staff is really, really remarkable. I don’t think they get enough credit from the public for how they managed the playoff run after losing to Michigan. The calls for his job were absolutely ludicrous. Do they need to beat Michigan? Yeah, sure. But this program is at the very top of the sport because of the head coach.”

 

[Bestbuck36]

Just win the fucking Game coach. Be a legend.