Ohio State is the defending national champions in the world of College Football. They upset perennial powerhouse Alabama in the semifinals and then shocked the Oregon Ducks in the championship. Could they return to the College Football Playoffs this year? Maybe, dare we say, repeat and win another title? Let's find out.


Ohio State plays in the Big 10 and got into the playoffs last year by demolishing Wisconsin in the Big 10 final. This year, they have a fairly easy schedule, which could help them accumulate a good record but could also hurt them when the College Football Playoff Selection Committee decides which four teams are worthy of a playoff appearance. Their big chance to make a statement comes in the next to last game of the regular season, when they face the Spartans of Michigan State. Let's look at Ohio State's schedule game by game with predictions. 


At Virginia Tech Hokies (2014: 6-6) 


Ohio State lost to Virginia Tech last year, the only loss of their 2015 campaign. It was that loss that nearly kept them out of their playoffs until their romp in the Big 10 championship game. This year, the Buckeyes of Ohio State should decimate Virginia Tech fairly easily. Most of the team has returned including lead running back Ezekiel Elliot who will be critical in most games for this Ohio State offense that favors the run game. Virginia Tech has most of their squad returning as well but they were 6-6 last year and Ohio State was the best team in the country. Prediction: Ohio State, 45-17.


vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (2014: 4-9)


Hawaii may not be a challenge for Ohio State but they certainly could be with most of their squad returning. Despite the departure of running back Joey Iosefa, the Rainbow Warriors still have an excellent running game to match the Buckeye's ground game while Ikaika Woolsey is no slouch at quarterback. However, you can't predict that a team with four wins last season is going to upset the national champions. Ohio State will get a better game then they bargained for but still will pull out a tight win. Prediction: Ohio State 23-14.


vs. Northern Illinois Huskies (2014: 11-2)


The Huskies are one of the better teams on Ohio State's schedule this year but had both their top running back and top wide receiver drafted. How will they fare after that setback? They could do well but the fact that they were decimated by Marshall in their bowl game last year doesn't inspire confidence. The Huskies simply don't have the tools to take down a national powerhouse, especially on the road, so Ohio State improves to 3-0 in this game. Prediction: Ohio State 34-13.


vs. Western Michigan Broncos (2014: 8-4)


The Broncos are a team that could upset the Buckeyes. They were a very respectable 8-4 last year and return most of their starters. If Ohio State takes this team for granted, they could most definitely go down in Week 4 against Western Michigan. But this prediction says that the Buckeyes underestimate the Broncos early, pull back, and win in a close game. Prediction: Ohio State 28-20.


at Indiana Hoosiers (2014: 4-8)


After three games at home, Ohio State finally has to go back on the road but this game shouldn't be too tough for the Buckeyes. The Hoosiers were a 4-8 squad last season and had both their top running back and top reciever drafted, with their second best wide receiver graduating this past spring. Unless the Hoosiers surprise everyone and launch a strong 2015 campagin, Ohio State should cruise here. Prediction: Ohio State 45-21.


vs. Maryland Terrapins (2014: 7-5)


The Terrapins' passing game could be rough in 2015 after they saw their quarterback graduate and their top 2 receivers drafted. Facing Ohio State on the road is going to be very difficult for the Terrapins. A win here for Maryland would be a shocking upset.  Prediction: Ohio State 44-17.


vs. Penn State (2014: 6-6)


Penn State is another squad that could take down the Buckeyes if Ohio State doesn't come in prepared for a dogfight of a game. In fact, they make be the squad with one of the most persuasive cases for an upset. They were hurt by graduation and the draft but certainly have the tools to take down Ohio State. This prediction says Penn State hangs with the Buckeyes for three quarters but Ohio State pulls away in the fourth for a victory. Prediction: Ohio State 30-14.


at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2014: 7-5)


Rutgers prodcues a solid squad most every year. They are not generally a powerhouse but usually get into a bowl game. They did lose their starting quarterback due to graduation and their top tight end due to the draft. The Knights are still a good upset pick, but not good enough to take down the Buckeyes.  Prediction: Ohio State 34-24.


vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2014: 8-4)


Minnesota is a solid team that relies heavily on the run. So that made it harder when their top running back, David Cobb, was drafted by the Tennessee Titans. Ohio State should defeat the Gophers, who also lost a wide receiver and a tight end to the draft, fairly easily. Prediction: Ohio State 38-21.


at Illinois Fighting Illini (2014: 6-6)


Illinois had their top tight end drafted last season but that shouldn't hurt a balanced squad like the Illini too much. This is yet another squad that could upset the Buckeyes and ruin their chances at a championship repeat. Illinois is balanced and, with many starters returning, are poised to improve in 2015. This game is one of the closest of the season but Ohio State, after getting off to a bad start, comes back to win, just barely.  Prediction: Ohio State 29-27.


vs. Michigan State Spartans (2014: 10-2)


The Spartans, as mentioned above, are probably the toughest test for Ohio State on their schedule. The Spartans lost several key cogs from their 2014 squad with top running back Jeremy Langford getting drafted along with top receiver Tony Lippett. Second-string running back Nick Hill graduated in the spring. It could be a tough season for the Spartans and this prediction says that Ohio State comes in pumped up and takes down Michigan State much like their surprising romp over Wisconsin last year.  Prediction: Ohio State 42-17.


at Michigan Wolverines (2014: 5-7)


The Wolverines were possibly the most disappointing team of 2014. Normally a powerhouse, the Wolverines won just five games and didn't even make a bowl game. They have a new coach in Jim Harbaugh but also lost their quarterback star in Devin Gardner. Ohio State will be fresh off a huge victory over Michigan State and comes into Ann Arbor and takes down Michigan as well. Prediction: Ohio State 37-20.

This prediction says that Ohio State wraps up the regular season undefeated though there are plenty of games that the Buckeyes could lose if they come in unfocused or unprepared. However, an undefeated regular season will not vault Ohio State into the playoffs. They would need to survive the Big 10 championship game which several websites, including athlonsports.com, predict will be Ohio State vs. the Wisconsin Badgers in a rematch of the 2014 title game. 

Big 10 Championship


Ohio State Buckeyes (2014: 12-1) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (2014:10-3)
The Big 10 Championship will be a rematch of last year's blowout championship game. This prediction says that the loss of dynamic running back Melvin Gordon is too much for Wisoconsin to overcome in the 2015 edition of Ohio State vs. Wisconsin. Ohio State wins handily, though not quite as handily as in 2014. Prediction: Ohio State 37-17.

Many things can happen in a college football season. Surprise teams can upset a powerhouse and ruin their chances at a national title. Injuries take out key players, making a team not quite as complet as before. These things certainly could happen to Ohio State but, as of now, the Buckeyes are certainly in a good position to make a run at a repeat.