Look, if you didn’t have a heart attack at least three times watching the Buckeyes this past year, were you even watching? People keep talking about the Ohio State Buckeyes 2024 football schedule like it was some kind of cakewalk until the Michigan game. It wasn't. Honestly, it was a gauntlet of emotional highs and "I-can't-believe-they-just-did-that" lows that ended in the most chaotic way possible: a National Championship ring despite losing to Michigan. Again.
Most folks think the season was a failure because of that late-November heartbreak in the Horseshoe. They’re wrong. Basically, Ryan Day and his squad pulled off a "reverse 2014." Instead of winning the Big Ten and then the title, they stumbled in the conference race and used the new 12-team playoff format to dismantle everyone in their path.
The Brutal Reality of the 2024 Schedule
The year started easy enough. Akron and Western Michigan were basically high-level scrimmages. But then things got weird. We all knew that trip to Eugene was going to be a problem. When the Buckeyes dropped that 32-31 heartbreaker to Oregon in October, the "Fire Ryan Day" tweets were flying. It’s funny how fast people forget that Autzen Stadium is basically where dreams go to die for visiting teams.
That loss actually forced the team to grow up. Fast.
The Regular Season Meat Grinder
- Aug 31 vs. Akron: W 52-6 (The Will Howard era begins)
- Sept 7 vs. Western Michigan: W 56-0 (Complete dominance)
- Sept 21 vs. Marshall: W 49-14 (Quinshon Judkins is a freak)
- Sept 28 at Michigan State: W 38-7 (Business as usual in East Lansing)
- Oct 5 vs. Iowa: W 35-7 (The defense proved they were elite)
- Oct 12 at Oregon: L 32-31 (A one-point tragedy)
- Oct 26 vs. Nebraska: W 21-17 (Wait, why was this so close?)
- Nov 2 at Penn State: W 20-13 (Quietly the biggest win of the regular season)
- Nov 9 vs. Purdue: W 45-0 (Total blowout)
- Nov 16 at Northwestern: W 31-7 (Wrigley Field was a cool vibe)
- Nov 23 vs. Indiana: W 38-15 (Ending the Hoosiers' Cinderella run)
- Nov 30 vs. Michigan: L 13-10 (The game we don't talk about at Christmas dinner)
That Michigan loss? It felt like a funeral. I remember sitting in the stands thinking the season was over. Losing four in a row to them is unacceptable in Columbus. Period. But thanks to the new playoff rules, the Buckeyes were the No. 8 seed. They were the "dangerous" team nobody wanted to see in December.
Why the Postseason Changed Everything
You've gotta give credit to Chip Kelly. His offense finally clicked when the pressure was highest. In the first round of the playoffs, Tennessee came to the Shoe. It was freezing. It was loud. And the Buckeyes absolutely demolished them 42-17. That was the "get right" game.
Then came the revenge tour.
The Playoff Run to History
The Rose Bowl against Oregon felt like destiny. After losing by one point in the regular season, Ohio State went to Pasadena and put up a 41-21 masterclass. Will Howard looked like a Heisman finalist, and Jeremiah Smith—man, that kid is not human—was catching everything within a five-mile radius of the field.
Then the Cotton Bowl happened. Facing Texas in Arlington was supposed to be the end of the road. Instead, Jack Sawyer decided to have the game of his life. That 83-yard fumble return for a touchdown? I’m pretty sure you could hear the cheering back in Ohio.
The National Championship Shocker
January 20, 2025. Atlanta. Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Facing Notre Dame for all the marbles was sorta poetic. Two historic programs, one massive trophy. The Buckeyes weren't the favorites. Most analysts thought the "two-loss team" shouldn't even be there. But the Ohio State Buckeyes 2024 football schedule had prepared them for this specific moment.
They won 34-23.
The defense, led by Caleb Downs and Cody Simon, just didn't break. They gave up yards, sure, but they held the Irish to field goals when it mattered. Ryan Day finally got his natty. It wasn't the "perfect" season Buckeyes fans envisioned in August, but honestly, it might have been better because of the adversity.
What We Learned from the 2024 Campaign
If you're looking at the data, this team was a statistical anomaly. They had the #1 scoring defense in the country, giving up only 12.9 points per game. Yet, they lost two games by a combined four points. That's the margin for error in modern college football. It's razor-thin.
The addition of Quinshon Judkins was arguably the best portal move of the decade. Pairing him with TreVeyon Henderson gave Ohio State a "Thunder and Lightning" backfield that even the best SEC defenses couldn't handle for four quarters.
Key Takeaways for Fans
- The 12-team playoff is a godsend. Under the old four-team rules, that Michigan loss would have ended the season.
- Jeremiah Smith is the real deal. 1,000+ yards as a freshman isn't just "good," it's legendary.
- Ryan Day isn't going anywhere. Winning a title shuts up the critics, even if the Michigan monkey is still on his back.
Looking Ahead: What You Should Do Now
The 2024 season is in the history books, but the ripples are still being felt. If you want to stay ahead of the curve for the 2025 season, start by analyzing the returning roster. Most of that elite offensive line is coming back, and the quarterback room is only getting deeper.
Next Steps for Buckeyes Diehards:
- Re-watch the Rose Bowl: It was the blueprint for how this offense should run.
- Track the Transfer Portal: With several seniors leaving for the NFL, keep an eye on how Day fills the gaps in the secondary.
- Secure 2025 Tickets Early: After a national title win, Ohio Stadium is going to be impossible to get into next year.
The Ohio State Buckeyes 2024 football schedule proved that it's not about how you start, or even how you finish the regular season—it’s about how you handle the pressure when the bracket locks in. The Buckeyes handled it better than anyone else.