The Ohio State football program is in a bit of a weird spot right now. It has lost three straight games to Michigan and hasn't made a trip to Indianapolis and won a Big Ten title since 2020. Yet, the Buckeyes are still routinely in the top five and even came a whisker away from likely winning a national title in 2022.
Most programs would be ecstatic with that type of run, but things are judged by winning championships and beating Michigan in Columbus (not necessarily in that order). Ohio State had a ton of guys who should be playing in the NFL come back to make good on the past few years, but that doesn't mean it'll be easy. Here are OSU's three toughest games that could be a roadblock to the Buckeyes taking the Big Ten back and making a run at the College Football Playoff.
3. at Penn State | Saturday, Nov. 2
The Nittany Lions have beaten everybody in the Big Ten not named Ohio State and Michigan over the last three years, but they've put up a battle consistently. The Buckeyes have had success on the road in Happy Valley over the years, but it's never easy. The crowd will be at a fever pitch and this game will be circled on the calendar as the main bullseye. It'll be a physical game with players that can make life difficult for a loaded OSU roster no matter what happens.
2. vs. Michigan | Saturday, Nov. 30
It feels a little weird to not peg "The Game" as the toughest one on the schedule for Ohio State, especially since things haven't gone well the last three seasons. There's no doubt the Buckeyes will have the better roster, but that doesn't always equate to a win. OSU will have to be focused, execute at a high level, and not let demons of the past set up camp psychologically. Especially against a team that now puts everything into the rivalry. It's in Columbus this year, but it'll still be a tough one.
1. at Oregon | Saturday, Oct. 12
Michigan who? By far, what looks like the toughest game for Ohio State in 2024 is the road trip to Autzen Stadium to play in what might be a top-five matchup in mid-October. The Buckeyes have a loaded roster but so does Oregon with a potential Heisman candidate in Oklahoma transfer quarterback, Dillon Gabriel. The nation will be watching.