The Ohio State Buckeyes open their 2024 college football season on Saturday with a home game against the Akron Zips.
While the Buckeyes are expected to dominate this game, it’s a good opportunity to get a first look at the team on both sides of the football.
On offense, quarterback Will Howard will have a chance to put up big numbers and show off his skills for the first time in an Ohio State uniform. On defense, the team will look to showcase the big playmaking potential he is believed to have.
One writer has made a very bold prediction for the Buckeyes defense during the 2024 season.
Ryan Stano from Scarlet and Wild predicted that Ohio State’s defense will force 20 or more turnovers over the course of the season.
“I believe the defense will be able to force at least 20 turnovers this season. The players they have on that side of the ball will be ready to create big plays, especially in the secondary. More passes will lead to interceptions.”
Considering how talented Ryan Day is on defense, this prediction is absolutely realistic.
Names like Caleb Downs, Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock and Co. are ready to force turnovers. The linebacker unit led by Cody Simon will hit hard and can retreat deep into coverage. Jack Sawyer and the pass rush will put a lot of pressure on the opposing quarterbacks and force them to make mistakes.
To achieve the ultimate goal of winning the national championship, the Buckeyes defense must be an elite unit.
Howard and the offense should be able to score at a high level if they play to their full potential. The defense will need to find ways to limit teams like the Oregon Ducks, Penn State Nittany Lions and Michigan Wolverines. In the College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes will face other elite offenses that they will need to keep in check.
If they can meet or come close to that projection and force turnovers at a high level, the sky’s the limit for Ohio State.
