Joel Klatt describes what Ohio State must do to have a successful season in 2024

Joel Klatt has Ohio State at No. 1 overall in the nation in his Preseason Top-25. That justifies why, for them to have a successful season to him, the Buckeyes will need to go as far as any other team in the country this fall.

Klatt set the standard for success for Ohio State during the latest episode of his show on Monday. He paired them with Georgia in it being as close to all-or-nothing this year in college football.

“You talk about sky-high expectations, man. This is one of those teams – and there’s two of them,” said Klatt. “Georgia and Ohio State have national championship aspirations. Not that everyone doesn’t but it’s like these two teams? Like, hey, if you could put a championship-or-bust mantra on any two teams, it would be Ohio State and Georgia.”

However, Klatt thinks outright winning the national title can no longer be the sole expectation for any team. The expansion of the College Football Playoff has almost made that thought to be unrealistic for him. That’s why he thinks, for Ohio State as well as Georgia, they just need to be in striking distance of taking it all to mean success.

“I don’t think you can just say championship-or-bust because college football is too deep. This playoff system is going to be too difficult. I think that the highest level of expectation that I can give you is just to go to the national championship game. At that point, you’re giving yourself a chance. I believe that a successful season is making sure, if you’re Ohio State, that you give yourself a chance in the national championship game,” Klatt explained. “When you get to the semifinals, man? These are going to be really good football teams – really good football teams. Certainly, that’s going to be the case in the national championship game. You’re not going to be able to fake it to that point in the season.

“That’s, for Ohio State and Georgia, kind of the expectations that I’m going to give them – you are there with a chance,” continued Klatt. “You can’t go to the semifinals and get blown out. You’ve got to be right there to win a national championship.”

With that said, Ohio State obviously has one other matter to deal with to be successful. Simply put, The Game has to be a win in order to avoid a fourth consecutive loss as they haven’t yet beaten That Team Up North in the 2020s.

“One caveat for Ohio State. One – and it’s a big one. You cannot win a national championship, go to the playoff, and do all of that and not beat Michigan,” said Klatt. “Not this year. That would burn for Ohio State.”

Ohio State undoubtedly has as much hype as any team in the sport coming into kickoff of this season. To meet it, Klatt has laid out what they need to do against the rival as well as in the posteason.

“All I can say is give yourself a chance,” said Klatt. “Be there in the end. Have an opportunity to win a national championship.”

“My definition for Ohio State this year starts with beating Michigan and then giving themselves a chance and going to the national championship game.”