The main competition in the Big Ten for Ohio State football

The Ohio State football team has gone three years since winning the Big Ten. That may not seem like a long time, but it's the longest stretch of time for them not to win a conference title since the end of the Jim Tressel era. That was back from 2010-2013 when they didn't win the conference, and they only didn't win in 2012 because they weren't eligible because of sanctions.

Ryan Day has done a really good job of improving his team the best that he can as we head into the Spring. 2024 is a pivotal year for him and he knows it. A lot of other teams in the conference are going to get worse next year as well, so who is the main competition for the Buckeyes to win the Big Ten?

The main competition for the Ohio State football team in the Big Ten

The first team is obviously Oregon. They bring back Tez Johnson and bring in Dillon Gabriel to replace Bo Nix. Their offense is going to be as potent as ever next season and should be a top-five team in the country. Ohio State has to travel to Eugene too, so that's going to be a crucial conference game.

Penn State is the other team that has a legit shot to beat the Ohio State football program for the Big Ten title. Drew Allar has a year of experience under his belt and now he gets former Buckeye Julian Fleming to throw to. The Buckeyes also have to travel to Happy Valley.

Michigan, although they are the defending national champions, loses way too much from their roster and their coaching staff to be seriously considered to win the conference. They still might beat the Buckeyes though considering Sherrone Moore is already 1-0 against Ryan Day.

Washington loses a bunch from its National Championship Game-appearing team too. Wisconsin is making weird coaching hires under Luke Fickell. Iowa still has an atrocious offense. USC's defense will still be a dumpster fire. Ohio State has a good shot to win the Big Ten.