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
Ohio State’s 2025 schedule isn’t a walk in the park, but it’s not the gauntlet Michigan faced in 2024. The Buckeyes kick off with Texas at home—a tough game, sure, but the Longhorns are breaking in a new quarterback and a rebuilt offensive line.
Compare that to Michigan’s 2024 slate: Texas, USC, Oregon, Indiana, and Ohio State, plus brutal road trips to Washington and Illinois. Ohio State’s key games—Texas, Penn State, Michigan, and trips to Washington and Illinois—have challenges, but they’re missing the extra playoff-caliber team and the blue blood in USC that Michigan battled. It’s a difference that should keep Ohio State fresher and more competitive.
2. Stronger Returning Production
Ohio State lost some stars—eight defensive starters and six on offense—but they still return 46% of their production, ranking 101st nationally. That’s not elite, but among the top five teams favored for the 2025 title, only one brings back more. Michigan, meanwhile, limped into 2024 with just 36% (130th).
The Buckeyes have depth waiting to shine—think Arvell Reese, Kayden McDonald, Eddrick Houston, and Brandon Inniss. These guys got real snaps in 2024’s 16-game season, so they’re not green. Ohio State’s roster is built to reload, not rebuild.
3. Recruiting That Reloads
Ohio State’s recruiting is a machine. Since 2021, they’ve landed a top-five class every year, while Michigan managed just one top-10 haul from then and going into their 2024 season. Ryan Day doesn’t just throw money at players; he targets talent that fits the Buckeyes’ culture, pulling stars from the Midwest and beyond.
This means roster holes get filled with high-potential players who are ready to compete quicker and don't need 3 or 4 years to develop. Michigan’s 2024 roster, by contrast, leaned on less-proven recruits and struggled. Thanks to this foundation, Ohio State’s transfer portal moves were also sharper. Talent isn’t a worry in Columbus.
4. A Loaded Quarterback Room
Quarterback play sank Michigan in 2024—they cycled through a walk-on and two others after losing JJ McCarthy. Ohio State won’t face that problem. Will Howard led them to a title in 2024, and now the Buckeyes have options.
Julian Sayin, a 2024 five-star and Elite 11 MVP, was the nation’s top QB recruit. Lincoln Kienholz, a 4-star with South Dakota high school records, brings experience. And freshman Tavien St. Clair, another five-star, boasts over 10,000 high school passing yards. Any of these guys would’ve outshone Michigan’s 2024 QBs. Ohio State’s quarterback depth is a game-changer.
5. Ryan Day’s Steady Hand
The biggest edge? Ryan Day. Michigan lost Jim Harbaugh to the NFL after 2023, despite a massive contract offer. Whether it was the cheating scandal, college football’s changes, or just restlessness, Harbaugh didn’t want to stay. Sherrone Moore inherited a mess and had to overhaul the staff. Day, though, is all in at Ohio State.
He signed an extension after 2024, making him the second-highest-paid coach in the game, and kept most of his staff intact. Replacing an offensive line coach and two coordinators is routine for him—he’s done it before and thrived. Day’s experience and commitment keep Ohio State stable.
Looking Ahead
Michigan fans might hope Ohio State takes a step back in 2025, just like the Wolverines did this year. But the Buckeyes are built differently. Their schedule is tough but navigable, their roster reloads with talent, and their quarterback room is stacked.
Add Ryan Day’s leadership, and Ohio State looks poised for another double-digit win season—not a seven-win stumble followed by a forgettable bowl game. The Buckeyes aren’t guaranteed another title, but they’re far from fading. Expect them to stay in the hunt.