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Could Ohio State have the best college football defense in 2024?

Published

2 years ago

May 23, 2024

Could Ohio State have the best college football defense in 2024?

Expectations are high for Ohio State heading into the 2024 season. But according to ESPN’s latest preseason projections, the Buckeyes are still sitting behind one SEC foe.

Per ESPN’s Bill Connelly’s SP+ projection model, which puts a number to the returning production, recent recruiting and recent history that turns into “a tempo- and opponent adjusted measure of college football efficiency,” Ohio State is the second-best team in the country behind Georgia.

The Buckeyes are listed as the team to beat in the Big Ten ahead of teams such as Oregon (No. 3), Michigan (No. 6) and Penn State (No. 7).

Ohio State is also returning 65% of its production from last season, including 62% of its offense and 68% of its defense.

Ohio State football transfer tracker: Ohio State football winter transfer tracker 2024: Latest portal news, updates

Ohio State listed as top 2024 college football defense

While Ohio State is sitting behind the Bulldogs heading into 2024, the Buckeyes are at the top in expected production on defense.

With players like defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau and cornerback Denzel Burke returning, and the addition of a player like safety Caleb Downs, Ohio State is expected to have the No. 1 defense in the country.

According to the latest SP+ rankings, each of 2024’s top four defenses will be in the Big Ten: Ohio State (No. 1), Iowa (No. 2), Michigan (No. 3) and Penn State (No. 4).

Despite returners like running back TreVeyon Henderson and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, and additions like running back Quinshon Judkins and quarterback Will Howard, Ohio State’s offensive ranking is 20th best in the country behind programs such as Oregon (No. 1), Georgia (No. 2), Arizona (No. 12) and Miami (No. 18).

Ohio State football schedule 2024

Aug. 31: Ohio State vs. Akron; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Sept. 7: Ohio State vs. Western Michigan; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Sept. 21: Ohio State vs. Marshall; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Sept. 28: Ohio State at Michigan State; Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan
Oct. 5: Ohio State vs. Iowa; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Oct. 12: Ohio State at Oregon; Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
Oct. 26: Ohio State vs. Nebraska; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Nov. 2: Ohio State at Penn State; Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania
Nov. 9: Ohio State vs. Purdue; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Nov. 16: Ohio State at Northwestern; Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
Nov. 23: Ohio State vs. Indiana; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Nov. 30: Ohio State vs. Michigan; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

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Ohio

Columbus schools closed Monday, Dec. 15 after snowfall, cold

Published

9 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Columbus schools closed Monday, Dec. 15 after snowfall, cold

Columbus City Schools is closing Monday, Dec. 15, after a weekend winter storm dumped more than 5.4 inches of snow on the region and cold temperatures descended.

Following the weekend snowfall, a cold weather advisory was issued for the area, to remain in affect across central Ohio through 11 a.m. Dec. 15.

It was 4 degrees at John Glenn Columbus International Airport at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 14, with a wind chill of 16 degrees below zero.

Late on Dec. 14, CCS posted it would close Dec. 15 “due to inclement weather.” See more school closings at NBC 4 or check back with the Dispatch throughout the morning.

This list will be updated as additional information becomes available. School districts are encouraged to send an email with any delays or closures to newsroom@dispatch.com.

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Single-digit temps, below-zero wind chills hit central Ohio after snow

Published

21 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Single-digit temps, below-zero wind chills hit central Ohio after snow

Now comes the cold.

After nearly 5½ inches of snow fell Dec. 13 in some parts of central Ohio, the National Weather Service says bitterly cold temperatures moving into the region will mean highs in just the single digits.

A cold weather advisory is in affect across central Ohio through 11 a.m. Dec. 15. It was 4 degrees at John Glenn Columbus International Airport at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 14, with a wind chill of 16 degrees below zero.

Temperatures to the west and south are even colder: 1 degree in Springfield, minus-1 in Dayton and minus-3 in Indianapolis. Those temperatures are not expected in the Columbus area, though. The forecast calls for slightly warmer temperatures by evening and highs in the low 20s Dec. 15.

The record cold expected for Dec. 14 — until now, the coldest high temperature in Columbus for this date was 16 degrees in 1917 — follows a day of record snow. The weather service recorded 5.4 inches of snowfall on Dec. 13 at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, topping the prior Dec. 13 record, which was 3.6 inches in 1945.

Level 2 snow emergencies, which means roads are hazardous and people should drive only if they think it’s necessary, remained in effect in Fairfield and Licking counties.

Level 1 snow emergencies are in effect in Delaware, Franklin, Madison, Union and Pickaway counties.

Bob Vitale can be reached at rvitale@dispatch.com.

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Ohio State men’s basketball fights back in 89-88 double OT win over West Virginia

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Ohio State men’s basketball fights back in 89-88 double OT win over West Virginia

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ohio State’s game-winning play over West Virginia in the second overtime period Saturday night was simple: give the ball to Bruce Thornton and get out of his way.

The result was an 89-88 double overtime win in the Cleveland Hoops Showdown at Rocket Arena.

It took so much to get to this moment.

The Buckeyes did all they could in regulation to overcome a 14-point deficit, while awaiting their top player in Thornton to come through.

His teammates did the dirty work to keep them in the game. From their defense creating transition points, matching the Mountaineers’ physical brand of ball.

Once extra time came after the first 40 minutes expired, Thornton took care of the rest in the two overtime periods.

He delivered bucket after another.

None more important than the final one.

A tightly covered Thornton took it down to the top of the key before finding a mismatch and looking to take it to the hole. A defender cut off his path, however, forcing Thornton to operate elsewhere in the paint.

Thornton used his pivot foot wisely before finding an opening for a fadeaway jumper and knocking it down.

Twelve of his 21 points came in the overtime periods.

Ohio State fought to the end and earned a win over a hard-nosed Big 12 opponent.

Center Christoph Tilly did his best to limit the Mountaineers’ big men, while adding 14 points and 11 boards of his own.

Freshman big man Amare Bynum was a pivotal spark off the bench with 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

Point guard John Mobley Jr. finished with 17 points and delivered the 3-point shot in the final seconds of the second half to give them their first lead since the 9:00 mark of the first half.

This story will be updated.

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