ESPN's FPI Favors Penn State Over Ohio State In Late September
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on as they play the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half of the the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
The Ohio State Buckeyes will look to return to the College Football Playoff in 2018, and with all the talent they've acquired through recruiting the past few years, they'll have a pretty good shot. The big question will likely be how well the next quarterback, whether it's Dwayne Haskins, Tate Martell or Joe Burrow, fares in his first year as the start. Remember, J.T. Barrett has graduated.
ESPN thinks that Ohio State will be favored in every game this season - except one. When the Buckeyes head to Penn State in late September, they're only given a 48.6% chance to emerge victorious. There's no doubt it'll be a tough game. It's on the road and the Nittany Lions will be looking for revenge after collapsing late against the Buckeyes a year ago.
Ohio State's two other tough games appear to be at Michigan State in early November and at home against rival Michigan later in the month. They're projected to have no problem with TCU either, for whatever that's worth.
Here's what the FPI thinks for all of Ohio State's games:
Ohio State will likely only be afforded the opportunity to lose one game and still make the College Football Playoff. A year ago, the Buckeyes lost two games - including an ugly one to Iowa - and were left of the event.
ESPN has Ohio State as the No. 4 ranked team in its FPI heading into the season. The Buckeyes are given the 49th-hardest schedule. Their projected record is 10.3-2 - including a potential conference championship game.
Ohio State's 2018 season will kick off against Oregon State on Saturday, September 1.
