Rebuild or Reload: Ohio State Has Best Chance to Win B1G

Nearly the entire defense was drafted, with eight of the 11 players on defense heading to the NFL. The Buckeyes were No. 1 in total defense and points given up per game. Adding to the damage, former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles left in the offseason to join James Franklin at Penn State.

Losing eight starters and a defensive coordinator from just one side of the ball does not exactly scream conference front runner in normal circumstances. 

Let’s talk about the other side of the ball. Former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly bolted for greener pastures with the join the Las Vegas Raiders. Wide Receiver coach, Brian Hartline again received a promotion to take over play calling duties. He was the offensive coordinator in title during the 2023 season, but we know Ryan Day called the shots.   

If that is not enough to make you question ESPN’s logic, we can take a look at college football’s most precious position, quarterback. Will Howard’s lone year in Columbus leaves a void to be filled by Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholtz, both with virtually nothing on tape in terms of live action. Most members of the Ohio State beat have been vocal in their belief Sayin likely takes the reins next fall. Sayin had the most live action last season going 5-of-12 for 84 yards and just a 41 percent completion percentage with one touchdown, and no interceptions.

Previous Champions With as Many Key Losses

The defending National Champion Buckeyes lost 17 players overall to the NFL—including most of the starters from the No. 1 defense in the nation—in addition to losing their title-wining quarterback and both coordinators. So how in the world is this team given the best odds to win a league they did not even win last year? We can look back the other at recent champions. 

2023 Georgia Bulldogs 

The 2023 Bulldogs most closely resemble this 2025 Buckeyes team. That team had to reload after losing 15 players to the NFL, a two-time national champion quarterback in Stetson Bennett and offensive coordinator Todd Monken moved on to the NFL. They did retain both co-defensive coordinators. The 2023 Bulldogs finished the season 13-1 with a second place finish in the SEC, losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship game and just missing the four-team playoff. With a similar season, Ohio State would be highly seeded in the 12-team playoff. 

2024 Michigan Wolverines

The 2024 Wolverines lost 13 players to the NFL and the majority of their coaching staff when Jim Harbaugh took the job with the Los Angeles Chargers. He took with him his defensive coordinator, defensive line coach, strength and conditioning coordinator, and defensive backs coach. First year head coach Sherrone Moore was left rebuilding the team and staff leading the 2024 Wolverines to a 8-5 finish and seventh place finish in the B1G.

2025 Ohio State Buckeyes   

With a new offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, offensive line coach, quarterback and the majority of the defense off to the NFL why is Ohio State chances of winning the B1G the highest among P4 conferences? Is the recency bias along with the absence of Nick Saban creating a void as college football collectively yearn for a new dynasty? Is it the culture and recruiting Day enhanced that is elevating Ohio State's chances against the field? Even on a national level, Mark Schlabach's way to early top 25 gave Ohio State the nod at the No. 1 spot in the country.

The answer is both. We all jumped on the hype train after Day’s first national title and it is easy to be bullish on the Buckeyes with consistent top-five recruiting classes, excellent transfer portal additions (like Caleb Downs and Sayin) and a culture of competitive excellence. 

Ohio State’s chances of repeating for a national title might be slim and, in fact, since the BCS era started in 1998, only three teams (USC 2003-2004, Alabama 2011-2012 and Georgia 2021-2022) have repeated as national champions. But we are talking B1G champions. League titles are less relevant with the advent of the 12-team playoff era, but Ohio State has not won the B1G since 2020.

Penn State and Oregon—and even dark horses like Illinois or Nebraska—fans and their media alike would be elated with winning the B1G. 

Ohio State's drought would make a B1G title more enjoyable than usual and the Buckeyes expect more. As far as winning the B1G title or repeating as national champions, the odds are much better with the best players on each side of the ball—wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and Downs returning.