Ohio State aims to demonstrate this year's improvement over last.

Jeff Hauser

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Ohio State out to prove this year is better than last image

© Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch

TL;DR

  • Ohio State Buckeyes' 2025 performance was a mixed bag, with offensive improvement but defensive decline.
  • James Franklin's move to Virginia Tech Hokies highlights Big Ten's financial commitment to coaching.
  • Big Ten's increased competition stems from focus on transfers, NIL, and strategic scheduling.
  • The conference's top teams' playoff performance in neutral or away games will impact standing.

Can a Big Ten contender be better than last year?

With the 2025 college football season nearing its conclusion, uncertainty persists regarding the progress or decline of Big Ten Conference programs. 

CBS Sports Tom Fornelli recently inquired whether Ohio State Buckeyes surpasses last year's performance. A significant narrative revolves around James Franklin's appointment at Virginia Tech Hokies. This transition exemplifies the substantial financial commitment Big Ten institutions are making to coaching staff and retention, contrasting with the instability seen in other conferences. 

Franklin's departure is confirmed. However, the SEC currently has four coaching vacancies, contrasting with The Big Ten's two, and UCLA has also dismissed DeShaun Foster. Conferences are adjusting their approaches, focusing more on player transfers, NIL deals, and strategic scheduling. This shift has fostered increased competition, explaining why the nation's top two ranked teams are in the Big Ten. 

It's uncertain if the conference's dominant teams will regain their standing or if emerging teams will pose a threat. Nevertheless, the evaluation of Ohio State is quite definitive. 

Fornelli stated that the Buckeyes' performance in 2025 was a mixed bag, indicating that it was both an improvement and not. 

"Ohio State's offense improved in its playoff games last season, scoring 3.21 points per possession compared to 3.09 in the regular season. Defensively is where things change considerably. The Buckeyes allowed 1.67 points per possession (still pretty damn good) in four playoff games after allowing only 0.92 in the regular season. I will point out, though, that the 0.92 in the regular season last year is still worse than the 0.76 they're allowing this year."

The performance of the Big Ten's premier teams in neutral site or away games during the College Football Playoff could significantly impact the conference's standing this season, so fans should monitor games scheduled for Early December. 

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Staff Writer