Buckeye Nation won’t agree with college football analyst’s Big Ten predictions that don’t have Ohio State on top

Despite losing to Michigan last season, the Ohio State Buckeyes went on one of the most impressive runs the sport has ever seen, ultimately winning the College Football Playoff.

That loss to Michigan—for a fourth straight time—could have been the nail in the coffin, as it has been in the past. Instead, head coach Ryan Day became just the third active college football head coach to win a national championship.

Now, as a new season begins, the past is behind them. It’s back to square one for everyone, and everything remains in front of the Buckeyes. However, college football analyst Phil Steele released his Big Ten predictions and does not have Ohio State winning the conference.

Ohio State picked to finish behind Penn State in the Big Ten

Steele ranks the Buckeyes No. 2 in the Big Ten, behind only the Penn State Nittany Lions, who return a wealth of talent from last year’s squad. Quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen are all back, and it’s clear Penn State is making a serious push with James Franklin in 2025.

If Ohio State finishes second, it would likely mean a loss to Penn State in the Big Ten Championship Game—it would be their second meeting of the season. With 14 players drafted from last year’s national championship team, the Buckeyes are reloading.