2024 Ohio State Football Projections on the HG
Jake Wimberly
Ben Parker Contributing
What’s to like:
Ohio State has acquired solid talent from the transfer portal. Quarterback Will Howard, defensive back Caleb Downs, and running back Quinshon Judkins will be factors on the field in 2024. Per the Hourglass, the OSU ranks 7th nationally in recruiting. Former UCLA head coach Chip Kelly will be joining the program as offensive coordinator, adding to an already talented coaching staff.
The Ohio State defense has improved immensely over the last few years. In 2021 they ranked 43rd nationally in defensive efficiency and now sit at 3rd.
The Buckeyes are on a 3-year streak of 10+ win seasons and have a good shot to do it again.
What’s not to like:
There is very little not to like about this team. The biggest question at this point in the year is Will Howard’s ability to adapt to the new offense under Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. An 11-win performance last year by Kyle McCord is a tough act to follow.
Oregon and rival Michigan will likely be the biggest obstacles in the regular season.
What does the Hourglass say?
2024 Ohio State – Big Ten (11-1)
Four-year analytic percentage of Ohio State = 88 percent
2024 Ohio State Analytics
National Recruiting Ranking (three-year metric): 7th - inside the boundary of a National Championship Roster.
National Coaching Ranking: Ryan Day - 2nd in the country, 1st in Big Ten;
2024 coaching value= 23 (average 2023 Power 5 coaching value= 8.35) Ryan Day ranks above the national average and is considered an elite coach.
ODE Analytics for 2023 nationally:
Offensive Rank: 12th
Defensive Rank: 3rd
Quarterback Play: Will Howard- ranked 18th in the Power 5, 4th in the Big Ten; 2024 QB value=20.7. Above the (Power 5 average- 14.78)
Impact Ball Catcher Metric: Ohio State has a 4 on a scale of 1-5, skill talent is considerable.
From Vegas:
Ohio State ATS in 2023: 7-5-1
Ohio State at home: 5-1-0
Ohio State on the road: 2-3-1
Ohio State at neutral site: 1-1-0
FINAL THOUGHTS:
There is a lot to like about the 2024 Ohio State football team and they are looking at a promising 2024 season. With the exit of Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, Ryan Day looks to cement himself as top dog in the Big Ten. Ohio State has the talent on the sideline and in the roster to not only snap their losing streak against Michigan, but win the Big Ten.
2024 Schedule Analysis:
Projected Hourglass W/L record: Games in red denote games that could be a one possession game or even a different outcome than projection.
Note: All photos courtesy of 247sports.com
