Way-Too-Early Rankings Roundup: Ohio State Receives Mixed Predictions From Experts, Ranking Between Fifth and Ninth in Top 25 Polls for 2024

There’s no better way to do that than to talk about “way-too-early” top 25 rankings and look at Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff championship odds. We decided to do that here and now.

In this article, we look at where Ohio State lands in the top 25 rankings from several college football news websites and how the Buckeyes compare to other teams across America heading into 2024. We also look at what the sharps think of the Buckeyes and their chances to dethrone rival Michigan as winners of the Big Ten and the College Football Playoff national championship.

Let’s dive in.

Top 25 Rankings

Below are the top 25 rankings from five national college football news outlets: ESPN, CBS Sports, Sporting News, Pro Football Focus and USA TODAY.

With the 2024 season set to start in August – over seven months from Tuesday – those outlets are split on where to put Ohio State in their rankings. The Buckeyes are placed anywhere from fifth to ninth, depending on the poll. 

ESPN: #5

The self-proclaimed “Worldwide Leader in Sports” ranks Ohio State as the No. 5 team in its poll. ESPN placed the Buckeyes behind Georgia, Texas, Oregon and Alabama.

Mark Schlabach writes:

Ryan Day has done solid work as Ohio State's coach since taking over for Urban Meyer in 2019. The Buckeyes are 53-8 the past five seasons, winning two Big Ten titles and reaching the CFP three times. But after a third consecutive defeat to rival Michigan, followed by a listless 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, the pressure is building. McCord transferred to Syracuse, and Day went into the portal to land former Kansas State starting quarterback Howard, who threw for 48 touchdowns and 5,786 yards over four seasons with the Wildcats. Noland, from Fairburn, Georgia, was the No. 2 pocket passer in the 2024 ESPN 300. Improving the offensive line is also a priority. Ohio State's schedule in 2024 includes home games against Iowa and Michigan and road contests at Oregon and Penn State.

Rounding out the top 10: Michigan, Ole Miss, Missouri, Arizona and Notre Dame

Ranked opponents on Ohio State’s 2024 schedule: Iowa (No. 25), at Oregon (No. 4), at Penn State (No. 12) and Michigan (No. 6)

CBS Sports: #5

CBS Sports (and 247Sports) agreed with ESPN, ranking Ohio State as the No. 5 team in its poll. The Buckeyes land in the spot behind Georgia, Texas, Alabama and Oregon.

Brad Crawford writes:

Ohio State showed up inside the top six on every ballot and ranked as high as No. 3. There are lots of moving parts in Columbus since a dreadful offensive performance against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl resulted in the Buckeyes' second straight loss to end the campaign. Ryan Day is tinkering with his coaching staff and added a potential starting quarterback from the transfer portal in Will Howard last week. If Ohio State lands Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins too, this offense should be elite.

Rounding out the top 10: Ole Miss, Michigan, Missouri, Notre Dame and Penn State

Ranked opponents on Ohio State’s 2024 schedule: Iowa (No. 24), at Oregon (No. 4),  at Penn State (No. 10) and Michigan (No. 7)

Sporting News: #6

While ESPN and CBS Sports shared the belief that Ohio State is a top-five team headed into the 2024 season, Sporting News sees the Buckeyes on the outside looking in as the No. 6 team in college football. Ohio State ranks behind Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Michigan and Oregon in the outlet’s poll.

Bill Bender writes:

The Buckeyes are looking to reclaim the Big Ten throne, and pressure is mounting on Ryan Day after three straight losses to Michigan. The Buckeyes, however, still have a loaded offense that added Kansas State quarterback Will Howard. Several key playmakers haven’t made NFL Draft decisions, but the receiver room will be stacked with potential breakout performers in Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss. Ohio State allowed 11.2 points per game this season, and it hinges on which players stay in school for third-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. That race with Oregon (Oct. 12) and Michigan (Nov. 30) will be fun, but don’t forget about a trip to Penn State (Nov. 2). 

Rounding out the top 10: Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Washington and Florida State

Ranked opponents on Ohio State’s 2024 schedule: At Oregon (No. 5), at Penn State (No. 15) and Michigan (No. 4)

Pro Football Focus: #7

After Sporting News dropped Ohio State a spot compared to ESPN and CBS Sports, Pro Football Focus took it one step further, ranking the Buckeyes as the No. 7 team in the nation heading into next season. Ohio State ranks behind Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Michigan and Ole Miss in the poll.

Max Chadwick writes:

Ohio State will be starting its third quarterback in three years next season after Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse. To replace him, the Buckeyes added Kansas State’s Will Howard in the transfer portal. His 78.7 PFF grade this year ranked third among Big 12 signal-callers. 

Ohio State will also be breaking in essentially a brand new receiving corps as Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Cade Stover are all expected to head to the NFL while Julian Fleming transferred to Penn State. The current “Wide Receiver U” hasn’t had much difficulty replacing talent there before though. The Buckeyes currently have four wide receivers who were among the top-50 overall recruits in the last two classes.

Ohio State also returns Jack Sawyer to lead its defense. He was the only edge defender in the nation who earned 85-plus PFF grades as a pass-rusher and in run defense this season.

Rounding out the top 10: Penn State, Missouri and Arizona

Ranked opponents on Ohio State’s 2024 schedule: At Oregon (No. 6), at Penn State (No. 8) and Michigan (No. 4)

USA TODAY: #9

In the final poll we will feature in our article, USA TODAY ranks Ohio State ninth behind several teams, including Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Texas, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Oregon and Oklahoma. 

Paul Myerberg and Erick Smith write:

The Buckeyes will again be one of the most-talented teams in the country. Adding Will Howard from Kansas State answers the biggest question: Who will be the QB? They also bring back defensive lineman Jack Sawyer and could return fellow end JT Tuimoloau, which would be one of the most formidable pairings in the country. The defense also returns linebacker Cody Simon and safety Lathan Ransom. But can the Buckeyes beat Michigan?

Rounding out the top 10: LSU

Ranked opponents on Ohio State’s 2024 schedule: Iowa (No. 24), at Oregon (No. 7), at Penn State (No. 15) and Michigan (No. 3)

Big Ten Championship Odds

From 2017-20, Ohio State dominated its conference and won the Big Ten championship in four consecutive seasons. However, after losses to Michigan in three straight years, the Wolverines have been on a run of their own, winning back-to-back-to-back conference titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Michigan will lose a slew of offensive and defensive talent after its undefeated season in 2023, which ended with a 34-13 national championship win over Washington. Still, UM could be the favorite to play for and win the Big Ten championship ahead of Ohio State for a fourth straight time in 2024. At least, that’s what the top 25 polls featured in the article would indicate, as Sporting News, Pro Football Focus and USA TODAY all have the Buckeyes ranked behind the Wolverines heading into next year.

National Championship Odds

As a consensus top-10 team in the early top-25 polls for 2024, the Buckeyes have as good a chance as anyone to win a national championship next season.

Ohio State has the third-best odds to win the College Football Playoff next January, according to consensus lines from The Action Network. Only Georgia and Alabama rank ahead of the Buckeyes, while Texas, Michigan, Oregon, LSU and Ole Miss are among the teams that rank behind them.