FOX’s RJ Young gives notable recognition to Ohio State, Ryan Day

Ohio State is no stranger to high praise during the preseason. The Buckeyes have been ranked inside the top 3 in the AP preseason poll the past three seasons and are looking to make it a fourth with Monday’s preseason rankings set to be released.

In his new rankings of all 134 Power 4 teams, FOX’s RJ Young ranks the Buckeyes No.1 heading into the 2024 season. Young praises the work Ohio State has done this offseason.

“Nobody has made a bigger splash — splashes, really — than the Ohio State Buckeyes during the winter transfer portal period,” Young wrote.

Ohio State's new faces make their roster quite impressive on paper. Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins's speed complements returning RB TreyVeyon Henderson, while Alabama safety Caleb Downs hopes to propel a Buckeye secondary that was tied for last in takeaways last season.

"With these new additions to an already talented team, {Ryan} Day has successfully navigated through a raucous spring portal period with finesse," Young said later in his preview.

You could argue that Day's biggest test as head coach will come on Nov. 30, when the archrival Michigan Wolverines come to Columbus. Yes, road trips to Oregon and Penn State highlight Ohio State's schedule as potential slip-ups, but Day desperately needs to beat "The Team Up North," which he's only defeated once in his career.