Going into the 2024 season, it was tabbed as a national championship or bust year for the Ohio State football program. There was an abundance of veteran talent returning, some key transfer additions, and a highly-paid coaching staff that was one of the best in the country.
It didn’t look so good after a late-season loss to Michigan, but the Buckeyes got it all together and went on a magical run through a landmine of a College Football Playoff to claim the 2024 national championship after a win over Notre Dame in the CFP Championship Game. It was the program’s ninth national championship in its storied history, and all of Buckeye Nation celebrated.
Now, OSU must find a way to still be among the best in the country after a slew of players leave for the NFL, and after some coaching defections. There’s still plenty of young talent in the cupboard, however, because Ohio State has recruited as well as anyone, and you can bet there will be no shortage of extremely qualified candidates to fill some of the coaching vacancies.
So yeah, the team should still be a talented one that will have every opportunity to still be among some of the best in the country, but just how things come together remains to be seen.
One of the college football analysts we love to follow here at Buckeyes Wire is Fox College Football’s Joel Klatt. We keep an eye on his opinion rankings on a weekly basis, and it just so happens that he unveiled his college football top ten for the 2025 season. He’s always been kind, yet unbiased when it comes to Ohio State, so will that continue with his look at next year?
Here’s the Joel Klatt college football top ten for next season, where Ohio State lands, and what Klatt says about the Buckeyes heading into next year.
No. 10 – Michigan Wolverines
Last season’s record | 8-5, (5-4)Final US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking | N/A (others receiving votes)
Looking Ahead – Michigan ended the season with some momentum by beating Ohio State in the regular season final and then Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The young talent should be much better, but just how good the Wolverines will be may hinge on how well a new starting quarterback can get up to speed. Will Bryce Underwood be the answer?
Last season’s record | 9-4, (5-3)Final US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking | N/A (others receiving votes)
Looking Ahead – Under Brian Kelly, it seems each preseason brings a lot of hype followed by underachieving performances, then rinse and repeat. LSU will again have a lot of top-end talent and one of the Heisman frontrunners at quarterback to live up to expectations. Can the Tigers win the games they should and navigate the rest of the schedule?
No. 8 – Miami Hurricanes
Last season’s record | 10-3, (6-2)Final US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking | No. 18
Looking Ahead – It wasn’t Miami’s offense that was the problem last year, but the defense. The Hurricanes seem to have an answer to keep plugging away on offense with Georgia transfer quarterback Carson Beck ready to go, but can the defense pull its weight?
Last season’s record | 10-4, (7-1)Final US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking | No. 11 (Made the College Football Playoff as the ACC champion)
Looking Ahead – Clemson’s talent level has taken a bit of a hit since the transfer portal and Name, Image and Likeness became a thing, but next season might be a chance at a little resurgence with Cade Glubnik coming back at quarterback and the overall talent on the roster. If the Tigers can play at a high level against the upper-crust teams, there’s a chance to go back to the College Football Playoff.
Last season’s record | 14-2Final US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking | No. 2 (Lost in the CFP National Championship Game)
Looking Ahead – The Irish will have to find an answer at quarterback after losing Riley Leonard, and there are some key pieces moving on from a very good defense. Still, Jeremiah Love returns at running back and there is plenty of talent abounding on the offensive line and on the outside. A great culture has been built under Marcus Freeman, and that may be enough for another College Football Playoff appearance.
No. 5 – Oregon Ducks
Last season’s record | 13-1, (9-0)Final US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking | No. 4 (Made the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed)
Looking Ahead – Oregon looked like the best team in the country the entire season, then ran into an Ohio State team that found itself and was clicking on all cylinders. Head coach Dan Lanning has the program recruiting at a high level, attracting talent in the transfer portal, and at the top of the NIL game. This team isn’t going anywhere and will be a factor again next season. It feels like only a matter of time before Oregon wins a national championship.
No. 4 – Georgia Bulldogs
Last season’s record | 11-3, (6-2)Final US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking | No. 6 (Made the College Football Playoff as the SEC champion)
Looking Ahead – With the recruiting Georgia has hauled in over the last few years, you know the talent will be there to win a national championship. However, the Bulldogs have to play up to their potential and get much better play at the quarterback position. It would be a shock if they didn’t get into the College Football Playoff again and have a chance to win it all.
No. 3 – Ohio State Buckeyes
Last season’s record | 14-2, (7-2)Final US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking | No. 1 (Won the CFP Championship)
Looking Ahead – Ohio State loses a ton of talent, but there’s a lot of young talent ready to take the baton and go for another run at glory. Former 5-star recruit, Julian Sayin, looks like the next guy up at quarterback, and there will be plenty of offensive weapons to distribute to once again. If the Buckeyes can still play at a high level on defense after replacing some veteran players and fix things on the coaching staff, they will be right there again.
Last season’s record | 13-3, (7-1)Final US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking | No. 3 (Lost in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff)
Looking Ahead – There’s a lot of faith being put in the Arch Manning era, and for good reason. He’ll have plenty of talent around him as well to make the offense go, and despite some key departures on defense, there are plenty of options there as well. It’s a pretty tough schedule though for Texas, so the room for error isn’t as great as others.
No. 1 – Penn State Nittany Lions
Last season’s record | 13-3, (8-1)Final US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking | No. 5 (Lost in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff)
Looking Ahead – Penn State is looking to use the blueprint Michigan and Ohio State used the last two seasons. The Nittany Lions look to have plenty of returning, veteran talent on both sides of the ball, and a quarterback to make it all go. The defense will have Jim Knowles to run things and keep that side of the ball at an elite level. James Franklin has been oh-so-close to getting over the hump, and this may be the year he does it.
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