Five Teams That Pose the Greatest Threat to Ohio State In 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Ohio State Buckeyes will soon return to the field for another season after becoming the first program to win the College Football Playoff (CFP) under the 12-team format. They accomplished that feat after finishing the regular season 10–2 and steamrolling through the CFP with dominant wins over the Tennessee Volunteers, Oregon Ducks, Texas Longhorns and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
This season, the Buckeyes will have a different look under center. Will Howard, the Kansas State transfer, had just one year of eligibility remaining and is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers after being selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Head coach Ryan Day has yet to name a starting quarterback but will have to choose between redshirt freshman Julian Sayin, redshirt sophomore Lincoln Kienholz and true freshman Tavien St. Clair. A decision is expected toward the end of fall camp, but it’s worth noting that Sayin is the likely candidate to win the job.
Despite the fresh look at quarterback and several other departures from their national championship squad, the Buckeyes are still tied with Texas for the best odds to win it again this season (+550, ESPN Bet).Like every season, there are a handful of college football programs that pose a threat to Ohio State’s chances of claiming the title. Here are five teams that stand in the way heading into the season.
Texas Longhorns
Aside from being two of the favorites to win the national championship this year, Texas quite literally stands in Ohio State’s way, with the two teams set to face off in Week 1. The Buckeyes and Longhorns will meet on Aug. 30 in Columbus, Ohio, as part of the first half of a home-and-home series. The return game in Austin, Texas, is scheduled for 2026.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Many might question why Illinois is on the list, but it’s clear the Fighting Illini are a different team than in years past. Head coach Bret Bielema led Illinois to its first 10-win season since 2001 and returns senior quarterback Luke Altmeyer. The senior enters the year as a top-15 quarterback in college football and won’t make things easy on an Ohio State squad that has to travel to Champaign for this year’s meeting on Oct. 11.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Despite winning the last eight meetings, Ohio State always has the Penn State game circled. The Nittany Lions are a consistent powerhouse year in and year out but have struggled to get over the hump. Last season, Penn State reached the CFP semifinal before falling to Notre Dame.Now, entering this season, James Franklin’s squad boasts one of the most talented rosters in college football and returns a whopping 14 starters from a year ago — including quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Penn State also went out and snagged former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Buckeyes star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith will face Knowles and the Nittany Lions on Nov. 1 in Columbus.
Michigan Wolverines
This one speaks for itself. One of the greatest rivalries in sports, Michigan vs. Ohio State — featuring the winners of each of the last two national championships — could deliver another classic on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.The Wolverines have beaten the Buckeyes four straight times, even doing so in 2024 without much of a threat at quarterback. Now, Michigan has landed the No. 1 player in the class of 2025, quarterback Bryce Underwood. While Underwood has yet to secure the starting job, the Wolverines appear poised for a bounce-back season after winning just eight games last year.
Oregon Ducks
While Oregon isn’t on Ohio State’s regular season schedule this year, there’s a strong chance the two teams could meet in the Big Ten Championship Game or the CFP. Last season, Oregon edged Ohio State in Eugene, 32-31, in October before the Buckeyes got their revenge in the CFP quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl with a 41-21 win.
Oregon is expected to contend for a national championship once again this season and enters the year as one of the most talented teams in the country. While the Ducks have never won it all, they’ve consistently been in the mix. Like Ohio State, Oregon will have a new look under center, as head coach Dan Lanning must choose between Dante Moore and Austin Novosad to be the starting quarterback.
Related: Rece Davis Names the Big Ten QB Who Is Following Joe Burrow’s Footsteps
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
