The Ohio State Buckeyes finished the regular season with a 10-2 record during the 2024 season. Ohio State won its next four games in the playoffs en route to a national title after losing to the Michigan Wolverines 13-10 before that.
With the Buckeyes winning the national title last season, there are players that they are going to have to replace as the 2025 season arrives. They lost a ton of talent to the 2024 NFL Draft. Even with winning it all, Ohio State may not be the favorite to win the BIG10 title, and it may just be the Penn State Nittany Lions instead. However, what may cause the Buckeyes from repeating as national champions in 2025?
PFF Lists One Glaring Hole For the Ohio State Buckeyes In 2025
There is no doubt that there will be questions about the Buckeyes quarterback position entering the 2025 season, but there could be another problem with Ohio State on the offensive side of the football. Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus thinks that the biggest weakness with this football program entering the 2025 season is the offensive line and the defensive line. They said,
“The one glaring weakness for Ohio State last season was its offensive line. The unit earned a 69.3 grade — ranking 63rd in the FBS — and now faces even more uncertainty after losing two first-round picks in Donovan Jackson and Josh Simmons, along with Rimington Award-winning center Seth McLaughlin. All five projected starters for 2025 posted sub-70.0 PFF grades last season, including Rice transfer Ethan Onianwa, who’s expected to take over at left tackle.
Defensively, the Buckeyes also have to replace their entire starting defensive line, a dominant group that saw all four starters selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.”
The defensive line maybe a bigger question mark than the offensive line entering the 2025 college football season. Ohio State’s front four performed well during the postseason run. The Buckeyes will need to replace its entire production from a season ago and it may take some time for it to happen. Ohio State’s line play weakness could potentially show right away in Week 1 when they host the Texas Longhorns.
If the line play is not up to standards in 2025, there is a very good chance that they may not repeat as college football champions. The BIG10 conference is going to be deep with offensive and defensive line play in 2025. Ohio State trenches need to be up to standards by the time November rolls around or it won’t be a problem that can be fixed for Ryan Day’s squad.
For More Great Football Content
Follow me on Twitter at @glennkaplan13 more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional football, click here!
