There’s plenty of reason for optimism in Columbus, Ohio this college football season (and not just because Jim Harbaugh is gone either). Between the new arrivals in the Big Ten and a ton of starters returning for another year, expectations are high for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
But what kind of record are the Buckeyes looking at in their first year of the 18-team Big Ten Conference?
According to the ESPN Football Power Index (FPI) computer model, Ohio State ranks fourth overall behind only Georgia, Oregon and Texas. The Buckeyes were given a 25.7-percent chance to win the Big Ten title, a 67.2-percent chance to reach the College Football Playoff and a 10.5-percent chance to win the national title.
As for the win-loss record, the ESPN FPI gave the Buckeyes a projected record of 10.2-2.2, narrowed down to 10-2. That would indicate two regular season losses, which has been rather uncommon for the Buckeyes in recent years.
Since 2012, the Buckeyes have only sustained multiple losses in the regular season on two occasions.
The problem Ohio State fans might face is the presence of newly-minted Big Ten rival Oregon being ahead of them in nearly all of those categories. The Ducks project a higher win total, better conference title odds, better College Football Playoff admission odds and better national title odds.
Ohio State and Oregon face off at Autzen Stadium on October 12. If the Buckeyes win that game, maybe the numbers will change significantly.
What do you think Ohio State’s record will be next year?