Ohio State begins its 2025 title defense with new coordinators, a star-studded roster, and championship expectations in Columbus.

After winning the national championship, Ohio State is no longer chasing. They are the hunted with a target on the Block O. And the 2025 Buckeyes are bracing for the weight that comes with that crown.

Brian Hartline steps in as the official play-caller after nearly a decade on staff, promoting continuity on offense. He knows the receivers inside and out and will look to create mismatches across the field. Hartline is no stranger to coordinating the offense, but this year the responsibility is solely his.

But the X-factor for Ohio State is the new defensive coordinator: Matt Patricia. The former NFL head coach, whose schematic simplicity and experience could unlock a ferocious unit led by Caleb Downs, is a phenomenal addition to the coaching staff. Any time you can add former head coaching or NFL experience to a coaching staff, there’s value. But when it is a good fit, now that’s a recipe for something special.

Julian Sayin, the presumed starting quarterback, will have the benefit of an all-time great receiving corps headlined by Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Brandon Inniss. Ohio State doesn’t need Sayin to be a Heisman finalist. They just need him to protect the football and distribute it to his stars.

With Max Klare coming over from Purdue at tight end, the Buckeyes also have a reliable safety valve in the short-to-intermediate game. Ryan Day’s Buckeyes have a well-rounded arsenal of weapons, including a deep running back room.

The defense is expected to be elite, even with new leadership. Downs is arguably the best player in college football, and his presence allows the secondary to remain aggressive. The front seven may take a few weeks to hit its stride. But Patricia’s ability to simplify and empower should make them dangerous come November.

Expect the defense to be solid in the early going; in fact, the Buckeyes may even drop the game to Texas. However, when it is time for the stretch run, the Silver Bullets will be flying around and locking teams down.

The real litmus test? Week 1 against Texas. Expect some growing pains early, but don’t be surprised if this Buckeye team starts peaking in November. The road to the Playoff will be difficult, with matchups against Penn State and a potential Big Ten title game looming. Still, if Sayin plays within himself and the defense reaches its ceiling, Ohio State could very well go back-to-back for the first time in school history.