ESPN Reveals What Ohio State Must Do To Reach Playoffs In 2023

Matt Galatzan

Feb 20, 2023

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Matt Galatzan

Feb 20, 2023

Partner

Ohio State will look to make the College Football Playoff for the sixth time in 2023, and ESPN has revealed what they need to do to get there.

For the Ohio State Buckeyes, one expectation stands above the rest every football season - making it to the College Football Playoff.

And for good reason, as the Buckeyes trail only Alabama (seven) and Clemon (six) for the most appearances in the Playoffs since in inception in 2014 with five.

Next season, the Buckeyes are once again predicted to challenge for a title, with most pundits having Ohio State trailing only defending the national champion Georgia Bulldogs in their preseason top-25 rankings.

ESPN is one of the outlets that have high expectations for the Buckeyes heading into next season, and they recently revealed what they believe Ryan Day's team needs to do to make it back to the Playoff.

And it all starts with the defense.

The defense must start to become a big-game asset again, not a liability, after struggling to contain Michigan and Georgia in its past two games. Coordinator Jim Knowles is entering his second year, and his true value as a playcaller and a tactician should be more on display this fall. Ohio State's offense will always be potent with Ryan Day (and now Brian Hartline) at the controls, even though a quarterback change after C.J. Stroud's exit could create some initial turbulence.

But the Buckeyes won't get past Michigan on the road -- or perhaps Penn State and Notre Dame -- if they don't start limiting big plays and making more of their own. There's enough experience in all three levels of the defense -- J.T. Tuimoloau, Tyleik Williams and Jack Sawyer up front; Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers in the middle; and Denzel Burke and Lathan Ransom in the secondary -- to avoid the breakdowns that showed up against Michigan and Georgia. Transfers such as Ja'Had Carter should help with overall depth. --

Adam Rittenberg

The Buckeyes have plenty of talent returning, including arguably the nation's top offensive weapon, Marvin Harrison Jr.

That said, the quarterback position will obviously be a major question.

But if the defense can play to its potential, anything is possible for Ohio State next season.