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Big Ten football standings predictions for the 2023 season

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 12: A detailed view of a Big Ten end zone pylon seen before the Illinois Fighting Illini and Michigan Wolverines game at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 12: A detailed view of a Big Ten end zone pylon seen before the Illinois Fighting Illini and Michigan Wolverines game at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Jul 26, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2 overall, 7-2 B1G)

  • Prediction

Ohio State is usually a favorite to win the Big Ten year in and year out, but I don’t have them winning the conference or their side of the conference in 2023.

After going 11-1 last season, I have the Buckeyes actually taking a step back in 2023. They are going to finish the season 10-2 overall and 7-2 in the Big Ten. The two losses for Ohio State will include at No. 19 Wisconsin and at No. 2 Michigan.

  • Reasoning

If you are a normal team, 10-2 is a good year. Not for Ohio State, though. I think they could falter a couple of times in 2023, but it is due to the Big Ten having some good teams at the top.

Ohio State’s offense could have trouble finding its footing at times this year. CJ Stroud is now in the NFL, and I believe Kyle McCord is set to take over. He has 58 pass attempts, three touchdowns, and two interceptions for his career at Ohio State. I know they have insane weapons, like Marvin Harrison Jr., but the Buckeyes could struggle at times on offense.

The Buckeyes, while having a good defense last season, didn’t have a legendary defense by any means. They gave up 21.0 points per game, which ranked No. 17 in the country. That defense is returning four out of the top five players in tackles, three out of the top five players in sacks, and four out of the seven players who had an interception.

I think Ohio State will be in every game and have a chance to win, but they will fall short in two contests. This will be a good Buckeyes team but not a great one.

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