Navigating the Turbulence of Ohio State Football in 2024

SP+ and College Football Power Index

In the realm of college football rankings, SP+ and the College Football Power Index play crucial roles. Ohio State currently stands at the top with an impressive SP+ score of 30.0. Its offense is a force to be reckoned with, scoring 39.0 points (6th in the nation), while the defense holds its ground with a score of 9.3 (1st). Special teams also contribute with a score of 0.3 (22nd). However, the competition is fierce, with Alabama and Texas not far behind. Alabama has a SP+ score of 28.2, Texas at 28.1, and other teams like Ole Miss and Oregon vying for a top spot. Ohio State's remaining opponents in the SP+ rankings are Indiana (11) and Michigan (40).

When it comes to the College Football Power Index, Ohio State is ranked 3rd with a score of 25.3. The chances of winning out stand at 47.8%, with a 47.8% chance of winning the conference. Making it to the College Football Playoff is a high possibility at 94.8%, with a 16.4% chance of winning the CFP. The competition continues with Texas leading at 26.7 and Alabama close behind at 26.6.

ESPN Analytics and Opponent Matchups

ESPN Analytics provides valuable insights into Ohio State's upcoming matchups. Against Indiana on November 23 in Columbus, OH, the Matchup Predictor gives Ohio State a 73.3% chance of victory. And on November 30, against Michigan in Columbus, OH, the odds are even more in Ohio State's favor at 93.0%.

It's astonishing to think that Indiana is currently in a better position to beat Ohio State than Michigan this season. But that doesn't mean the Buckeyes can take either opponent lightly. They need to be at their best to secure wins and continue their dominance.

Stop Rate and Third-Down Improvements

Stop rate is a crucial aspect of football, and this season, Notre Dame has taken the lead with an 81.7% stop rate and 0.95 points per drive. Ohio State follows closely with the same stop rate but a slightly lower points per drive at 0.86. The team realizes the importance of improving on third downs to beat Indiana and Michigan in the final two regular-season contests and future playoff opponents.

After Ohio State's win over Northwestern and Notre Dame's win over Virginia, both teams are tied at the top in stop rate. But Notre Dame claims the top spot due to its excellent performance in forced turnovers and being "excellent on third downs and in the red zone." Day emphasizes the need for Ohio State to improve on third downs to become more efficient and execute better on defense.

Penalties and the Big Ten Officiating Issue

Ohio State ranks a disappointing 134th in opponent penalty yards per game this season, dead last in college football. There could be various reasons for this, but it seems that Big Ten officials have been inconsistent this season. Opponents of Ohio State have received an average of 25.5 penalty yards per game, with the bottom six schools in this category all from the Big Ten. Programs like Penn State, Northwestern, Michigan, Washington, and Michigan State are not far behind. It's a significant issue that could impact the team's performance.

A Call to Arms from Urban Meyer

In his Tuesday press conferences, Urban Meyer rarely makes an opening statement. But this week, ahead of Ohio State's top-five showdown with Indiana, he called upon Buckeye Nation to be loud and proud at the Horseshoe. He emphasized the importance of creating a tremendous atmosphere and being loud on third down every time the opponent has the ball. The team is looking forward to this week of preparation and aiming to have the best week of preparation they've had all season.

If you're in the Shoe this weekend, get loud and show your support for the Buckeyes!

Song of the Day: "Hell's Bells" - AC/DC

As an added touch, the Song of the Day is "Hell's Bells" by AC/DC, adding a touch of energy and excitement to the football atmosphere.

Cut to the Chase: Other News and Updates

Tampa Bay Rays say the new St. Pete stadium is unlikely to be ready for the 2028 season, if at all. A new eagle camera is going live in Minnesota, delighting global viewers. The far side of the moon once had erupting volcanoes too. And Sheetz cuts gas prices by 40 cents for certain fuel as Thanksgiving travel picks up. These are some of the other stories that add a bit of variety to the football world.