Ohio State Faces Disappointing Outlook in ESPN’s New Projection
Ohio State Buckeyes fans are known for their passion, pride, and high expectations, especially when it comes to football. However, ESPN’s latest projection has poured some cold water on that optimism. According to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), the Buckeyes may fall short of their usual dominance this upcoming season, with projections that place them behind key rivals and out of the top tier of national championship contenders.
The most striking part of the projection is Ohio State’s predicted win-loss record, which suggests a potential two-loss season. While that might seem modest to some programs, in Columbus, it’s borderline unacceptable. Even more concerning is that the Buckeyes are not favored to win the Big Ten, with Michigan and even Penn State drawing higher chances in the model. This comes after recent struggles against Michigan and a trend that suggests the balance of power in the Big Ten may be shifting.
Additionally, ESPN’s model casts doubt on Ohio State’s playoff chances. With an expanded College Football Playoff on the horizon, Buckeye fans were hopeful that their team would be a lock. But the latest analytics place them on the bubble, rather than inside the top four or even top six teams.
Many fans and analysts have pushed back on the projection, pointing to Ohio State’s loaded roster, including standout talents at wide receiver and a revamped defense. Still, ESPN’s model weighs strength of schedule, recent performance trends, and returning production heavily — areas where questions remain.
For a program with national championship aspirations every year, being cast as anything less than elite is unsettling. While preseason predictions aren’t destiny, the Buckeyes now have extra motivation to prove ESPN — and the doubters — wrong once the season k
icks off.
