Ohio State Buckeyes given a promising outlook for the 2025 college season and one big thing is working in their favor

College football analyst Phil Steele believes the Buckeyes are well-positioned to contend again—and he explained why.

“Despite dropping from No. 47 to No. 105 in my ‘Experience Chart,’ OSU could be favored in all 12 regular-season games,” Steele said recently. “They get Penn State and Texas at home and are a threat to repeat as national champs.”

Having their two toughest matchups—Penn State and Texas—at home is a major advantage for the Buckeyes. Opening the season at Texas will be a big test, but a Week 1 game typically doesn’t make or break a season. The home matchup against Penn State in November could have major Big Ten title implications.

Ohio State had a veteran-led squad last season, with 14 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Now, the Buckeyes will need new leaders to emerge—especially at quarterback. Former Alabama transfer Julian Sayin is the favorite to win the starting job over junior Lincoln Kienholz.

Ryan Day holds a 70–10 record as a head coach, but losing to Michigan four years in a row remains a major blemish. That rivalry clash in late November will once again be a defining moment for Ohio State’s season.