Skull Session: Ohio State is a 3.5-Point Favorite Over Michigan in 2024, Will Howard Has the Fifth-Best Heisman Odds and the Buckeyes Announce Walk-On Tryouts

Even Ohio State's president needs a BuckID.

Feeling like an official Buckeye with my BuckID. pic.twitter.com/tYnpp6Uof6

— Walter Ted Carter Jr. (@OhioStatePres) January 9, 2024

Do you still have yours? I do!

Let's have a good Wednesday, shall we?

 THIS IS THE WAY. Ohio State ended 2023 with a 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl, and Michigan ended 2023 with a 34-13 win over Washington in the College Football Playoff national championship.

Tough scene.

However, as sportsbooks direct their attention to 2024, the oddsmakers think Ohio State will be four points better than Michigan when the rivals meet in Columbus on Nov. 30. Despite three consecutive losses to the Wolverines, the Buckeyes are a 3.5-point favorite in the 120th edition of The Game, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Here is a breakdown of both teams entering 2024 via Mark Schlabach of ESPN:

Ohio State

Expected key losses: QB Kyle McCord, DT Michael Hall Jr., WR Marvin Harrison Jr., LB Steele Chambers

Expected key additions: QB Will Howard, RB Quinshon Judkins, OL Seth McLaughlin, WR Jeremiah Smith, QB Air Noland, CB Bryce West, DE Eddrick Houston, WR Mylan Graham, CB Aaron Scott

2024 outlook: 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 Cotton Bowl, 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.

Michigan

Expected key losses: QB J.J. McCarthy, RB Blake Corum, RB Donovan Edwards, OT LaDarius Henderson, G Trevor Keegan, G Zak Zinter, C Drake Nugent, WR Roman Wilson, LB Michael Barrett, CB Mike Sainristil

Expected key additions: QB Jadyn Davis, LB Jaishawn Barham, TE Brady Prieskorn, LB Jaden Smith, RB Jordan Marshall

2024 outlook: After returning to the CFP for the third straight year, there will be a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Michigan program heading into the offseason. Will coach Jim Harbaugh sign a contract extension at his alma mater or jump back to the NFL? The Wolverines have already received a notice of allegations from the NCAA regarding alleged recruiting violations and there's a separate NCAA investigation into the program's alleged sign stealing. Harbaugh might face another suspension in 2024 if he returns. On the field, the Wolverines are going to lose a boatload of talent, especially if McCarthy and Edwards leave for the NFL draft. The offensive line will have to be rebuilt and key pieces will also have to be replaced on defense. The Wolverines play one of the most difficult schedules in the FBS next season with home games against Texas, USC and Oregon and road games at Washington and Ohio State.

While Schlabach named J.J. McCarthy and Donovan Edwards as “expected key losses,” he later stated that the Michigan quarterback and running back could come back for their senior seasons in Ann Arbor. With how McCarthy performed as a passer from the Maryland game to the CFP (64.8% passing, 797 yards, 4 TDs and 1 INT) and how Edwards performed outside of the title game (113 carries, 393 yards, 3 TD), it wouldn't surprise me to see both of them return.

Still, even with McCarthy, Edwards, and a defense that will feature defensive tackle Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson, among others, Michigan should take a step backward in 2024. In addition to its expected departures, which could also include head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines have a brutal schedule next fall, including matchups with Texas, USC, Washington (in Seattle), Oregon and Ohio State (in Columbus).

Meanwhile, Ohio State's list of expected departures continues to shrink, and it continues to add players like Alabama offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin and Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins from the transfer portal. The Buckeyes' schedule also looks easier, with only Oregon (in Eugene), Penn State (in State College) and Michigan standing out as tough opponents.

For those reasons, I feel good about the sportsbooks’ initial line for Ohio State-Michigan. And even if Ohio State doesn't cover the spread, I am sure Buckeye Nation would be thrilled if the Buckeyes win The Game, no matter the score.

 WILL HOWARD FOR HEISMAN? Thanks be to FanDuel for another section of content in the Wednesday Skull Session, as “America's No. 1 Sportsbook” has favorable odds for Ohio State quarterback Will Howard to win the Heisman Trophy in 2024.

The former Kansas State quarterback, who arrives in Columbus after collecting 5,786 passing yards and 48 touchdowns across four seasons in Manhattan, has 15/1 odds to win the coveted award. That line ranks fifth behind Quinn Ewers (+750), Carson Beck (+750), Jalen Milroe (+750) and Dillon Gabriel (+1000).

Howard is not the lone Buckeye in FanDuel's Heisman odds.

Quinshon Judkins, who comes to Ohio State after recording 3,006 scrimmage yards and 34 total touchdowns in two seasons at Ole Miss, is also featured at 60/1. Devin Brown has 100/1 odds.

Should TreVeyon Henderson and Emeka Egbuka return to Ohio State for their senior seasons in 2024, I would imagine FanDuel would feature odds for them as well. Of course, we shall see between now and Monday if Henderson and Egbuka “reload that clip” and come back to Columbus next fall. One can hope, at least.

Howard's odds to win the Heisman Trophy are high because – well, he's Ohio State's quarterback. With weapons like Judkins, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, Jeremiah Smith and potentially Henderson and Egbuka around him, Howard will be in prime position to have the best season of his career in 2024. He just needs to take care of the football and “make the routine plays routinely,” as world-renowned offensive coordinator and playcaller Ryan Day likes to mention of his quarterbacks.

If Howard can do that, there's no reason he can't secure a seat at the Lincoln Center in New York City in December.

 WELCOME THE WALK-ONS. The Ohio State football team received some... ummm...  savage responses... to an X post on Tuesday that asked current Ohio State students to become walk-ons for the program.

The Post

Walk-On Tryouts pic.twitter.com/PBL6BpztGv

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 9, 2024

The Best Response

The Tryouts: pic.twitter.com/E8Kq7hHHjt

— THE RED RANGER (@THEREDRANGER3) January 9, 2024

That made me laugh out loud. Well done, Red Ranger.

The Other Responses

WE ARE COOKED pic.twitter.com/cI4SIeYlTp

— kev (@allofasutton_k) January 9, 2024

Lou Holtz approves this

— Moore33 (@Moore33Gaming) January 9, 2024

If I show up with a pencil and clipboard can I audition for the HC position?

— Mike Arnold (@MikeJam91777097) January 9, 2024

Now, look. Ohio State has held walk-on tryouts in the past; it will hold walk-on tryouts in the future. That said, claims that the Buckeyes are “cooked” are unfair.

Here's a fair criticism of Ohio State: The announcement came 12 hours after Michigan won its first national championship since 1997.

I don't know... maybe read the room?

With a meeting scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 1, Ohio State could have posted this announcement on one of the next three Thursdays – Jan. 11, Jan. 18 or Jan. 25 – and produced the same interest.

But, like Tim May, I digress.

Find some walk-on studs, Buckeyes.

 GREG ODEN GIVES BACK. We all have heard of Greg Oden. We all know how dominant he was at Ohio State. And we all know how dominant the 7-foot, 273-pound center could have been in the NBA had he not suffered bumps, bruises and other ailments in his professional career.

INTERRUPTION: Check out this article from The Ringer on Oden and Mike Conley Jr.'s comments on his former Ohio State teammate.

In a recent interview with Adam Jardy of The Columbus Dispatch, Oden discussed his basketball career and his desire to become a head coach in the future. He also talked about his work with the National Basketball Retired Players Association, a non-profit that assists former players after their retirement.

Oden benefited from the NBRPA once he retired from his many injuries. Now, he helps those who wish to receive the same help.

They’re using a young photo of Greg Oden in the promotions, and for that the seemingly prematurely aged big man is thankful.

In a few hours, his alma mater will take on West Virginia in the final game of the Legends of Basketball Showcase inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Right now, Oden is posing for photos in front of a lighted backdrop inside local watering hole Barley House. In the back, a projected screen alternates between promotions for this afternoon’s fundraising event as well as highlighting former basketball players

Cycling through the photos is teenaged Oden in his Ohio State uniform, his entire professional career ahead of him. At the time, the eventual No. 1 overall draft pick was poised for NBA superstardom and a can’t-miss, lengthy professional career.

Things didn’t quite work out as planned, but along the way Oden was introduced to the National Basketball Retired Players Association. Founded in 1992, the non-profit organization was created to help support former players as they transition out of playing the game.

It’s a cause that matters to Oden, and it’s why he was taking photos, signing autographs and mingling with donors as part of a benefit to raise funds for the NBRPA on a blustery evening a few blocks from Lake Erie.

“It’s a long time from when you retire, if you’re lucky enough to retire around 30-something, until you get your pension at 60,” Oden said. “I know everybody thinks, ‘You played in the NBA, you played a sport,’ but these guys (have) got medical bills. I’ve got medical bills. To be able to help with that is big.”

Cheers to Oden for his efforts here.

Pay it forward.

Always pay it forward.

 SONG OF THE DAY. “The Mates of Soul” - Taylor John Williams.

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 ONE MORE THING. Hello. Hi. Are you still here? On Tuesday, we released our final update of the 2023 Eleven Warriors Buckeye 20 – our year-round ranking of Ohio State’s top 20 football players. Spoiler: Marvin Harrison Jr. remains the No. 1 player in the rankings, but several other players moved around in the rankings. I wonder who they were! Check out the Buckeye 20 page to see the full rankings after the last month of the season.