ESPN identifies best, worst case scenarios for Ohio State in 2023

Ohio State enters 2023 with the usual expectations another College Football Playoff run. Several factors are at play regarding whether they can eventually get there or not.

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg revealed his best and worst case scenarios for the Buckeyes in 2023 — and Ohio State has the potential to see some very high high’s and some potential program-changing lows based on their schedule.

Rittenberg’s best case scenario for the Buckeyes is a national championship, the first to come home to Columbus since the CFP’s inception in 2014. The worst? Up to four losses in the regular season.

“The top goal in Columbus never changes, but Ohio State is way overdue for a title, especially considering its historic quarterback run under coach Ryan Day,” Rittenberg wrote. “Despite the Michigan meltdown, Ohio State outplayed eventual national champion Georgia before a calamitous fourth quarter. The Buckeyes clearly must improve on defense and limit the breakdowns that surfaced in the Michigan and Georgia losses.”

As Day hashes out his quarterback battle between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown, as well as the issues on the offensive line, the Buckeyes have put together what Rittenberg describes as an “elite” defense at all three levels. To him, that should be enough to get Ohio State back in the College Football Playoffs.

Since Day took over operations, the Buckeyes has yet to lose more than two games in a single season. Road trips against Michigan and Notre Dame to go with trap games against Wisconsin, Penn State, Maryland and even Rutgers could put that streak into jeopardy, especially with an inexperienced signal caller.

“A four-loss season is highly unlikely but possible for the Buckeyes,” Rittenberg wrote. “It would stem from continued regression on defense and the abrupt end to a stretch of superb quarterback play. … Anything shy of the CFP would be disappointing for Ohio State, and 9-3 or 8-4 would trigger significant changes.”

But you shouldn’t worry too much, Buckeye fans. That’s why it’s called the worst case scenario. To say that outcome would be highly unlikely is an understatement for a team the caliber such as Ohio State, who is likely going to be — at the very least — a Big Ten Championship contender looking at another shot at the Rose Bowl.

That’s obviously a bit below the best possibilities that the new season can bring, but it would be another strong season for the perennial national powerhouse.