The 2019-20 Ohio State football team was the best team in the nation and the 2020-21 Ohio State football team will pick up right where they left off— as the best dang team in the nation. (Don’t @ me, LSU. You’re losing your heart and soul to the Bengals and the Panthers).
You’re a Buckeye fan. You know that when one season ends, and a few guys leave to become first rounders, Ohio State will replenish their depth chart with equal or better talent. Next season it looks like this: Ohio State QB1 Justin Fields is returning to claim what’s rightfully his— the College Football Playoff national championship and Heisman trophies. And his two favorite targets, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, will be there to help him claim it.
Get ready for more of this:
Justin Fields hits Chris Olave in stride!@OhioStateFB takes a 14-6 lead over Michigan. pic.twitter.com/rcLIbIQFii
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 30, 2019
And a lot more of this:
Justin Fields comes back on with a brace on his knee after getting rolled up on.
— Zack Thomas (@NFL_Zack) November 30, 2019
Comes back in the game and tosses a beautiful touchdown to, again, Garrett Wilson on his first play back in. Unreal. pic.twitter.com/LLfYKeUFln
Additionally, running back Master Teague will help us get over our J.K. Dobbins break up, more than half of the offensive line returns to protect Fields even better than they did last season (which is saying a lot!), and cornerback Shaun Wade, defensive end Jonathan Cooper, and linebacker Baron Browning will help take the edge off losing Jeff Okudah, Chase Young, and Malik Harrison, respectively.
Not to mention, Ryan flipping Day— who led us to the playoffs as a first. year. head. coach. will return without the expectations that come with being a “rookie.” Now, will expectations still be high? Um... yeah. We’re like the worst fanbase in the world. It could be the man’s four-billionth year as head coach and we’d still be waiting for him to prove himself worthy of leading our beloved Buckeyes.
But now, hopefully, he can do his job without constantly being compared to his predecessor, Urban Meyer, and ease up a little knowing that he has an experienced/proven quarterback on his roster and an undefeated season under his belt.
So, now that we’ve established that Ohio State is good (pretends to be shocked), here’s our way-too-early predictions for next season’s schedule:
Sept. 5 vs. Bowling Green— Projected result: W
- The Falcons went 3-9 last season (0-6 away).
- One of those losses was to Miami University (3-44)
- Ohio State beat Miami University 76-5
You do the math.
Sept. 12 at Oregon— Projected result: W
Unlike last season, it won’t take long for Ohio State to face their first true test of the season. In week two, they’ll head to Autzen Stadium to take on the Oregon Ducks who are coming off a Pac-12 championship season and a Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin. They will no doubt be seeking a spot in the playoff conversation again next season.
However, the Ducks are losing their starting quarterback, Justin Herbert, to the draft, along with four members of their offensive line and other key players on offense. I can’t see a young Oregon offense successfully out-smarting Wade, Cooper, & Co., especially in their second game of the season.
Another fun fact: Oregon has never beaten Ohio State. The Buckeyes lead the all-time series 9-0.
Sept. 19 vs. Buffalo— Projected result: W
I mean, the Bulls beat Bowling Green 49-7, so they’re not the worst non-conference team Ohio State will face. But they also lost to Miami University 20-34, so...
Sept. 26 vs. Rutgers— Projected result: W
Yes, even with Greg Schiano at the wheel. Ask us again after three recruiting classes.
Oct. 3 Bye
Oct. 10 vs. Iowa— Projected result: W
Do I have PTSD seeing this game on the schedule? Yes. However, this time it’s a home game, and I just can’t see us losing to the Hawkeyes twice in a row.
Not to mention, they’ll be in the middle of a rebuilding year after losing their quarterback and stud defensive end A.J. Epenesa.
Oct. 17 at Michigan State— Projected result: W
The Spartans’ upsetting-Ohio-State days are over...for now. Mark Dantonio needs to flip the program on its back if he wants to be a force in the Big Ten again, but that’s gonna take awhile. Since its at East Lansing, I do think this game will be a little too close for comfort, but Ryan Day’s post-first quarter speech will get them through it.
Oct. 24 at Penn State— Projected result: W
Yes, its the Buckeyes’ second consecutive game on the road. Yes, its at the ever-so-dreadful Happy Valley. Yes, it’s probably going to be a white out night game. And yes, Penn State’s offense is expected to be better than they were last season. But I really believe that next season’s Ohio State football team will be an angry one. The way last season ended, I just think the Buckeyes will want it more than the Lions.
This will by far be the toughest game on Ohio State’s schedule, and it was tempting to put an “L” just for the sake of it, but I honestly think we’ll leave Happy Valley, well, happily.
Oct. 31 vs. Nebraska— Projected result: W
Nebraska, Scott Frost, and quarterback Adrian Martinez received a lot of hype last season. So much so, that some truly believed they’d upset Ohio State. And then they lost 48-7.
With Martinez returning, I do believe Nebraska will have quite a few wins next season, but Ohio State will not be one of them.
Nov. 7 vs. Indiana— Projected result: W
I think the 2020 Hoosiers will be similar to the 2019 Cornhuskers in that many will try to build this game up into a potential upset. But Indiana always gives Ohio State a good game (a part from last season) which is why I don’t think the Buckeyes will sleep on them.
Nov. 14 at Maryland— Projected result: W
Do I think we’ll beat Rutgers’ big brother? Umm let me thi—yes.
Nov. 21 at Illinois— Projected result: W
The Fighting Illini had a heck of a season in 2019, and I’m basically only saying that because they beat Wisconsin and went to a bowl game.
But, they are yet another team who have fell victim to the NFL draft and will be breaking in a new quarterback in 2020. I don’t even think 12 weeks is enough time to prepare him for the likes of Ohio State.
Nov. 28 vs. Michigan— Projected result: W
Is Jim Harbaugh still their head coach? Well then...
What do you think? Can Day pull off his second undefeated regular season in a row? Honestly, with this strength of schedule, I think the Bucks could lose a game and still find themselves in the playoff. My really, really early post season prediction?
Ohio State beats Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship. They’re seeded No. 2 in the playoffs, only to face a No. 3 Jeff Hafley-led Boston College. You heard it here first.