Ohio State has third-best national championship odds for 2024

Ohio State fans are ready to move on from the 2023 college football season. While an 11-2 record that included a trip to a New Year's Six bowl game would be a great season for the vast majority of the teams in the sport, the Buckeyes left the year disappointed with the final result, especially after the deflating 14-3 Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri.

The Scarlet and Gray have already flipped the page to 2024 early in the calendar year and are preparing to make next season better than the last. Head coach Ryan Day has made one staff change, with more expected, and Ohio State has added a talented 2024 recruiting class in addition to four, so far, transfer portal players who can come in and make an immediate impact.

As is often the case, the oddsmakers, too, have looked ahead to next year. It didn't take long after Michigan defeated Washington in the national championship game on Monday night for odds to be released on who will win the 2024 college football national title. According to SportsLine, the Buckeyes have the third-best odds at winning it all next season, sitting at +800.

The Scarlet and Gray are behind just Georgia, who won the two prior national championships, at +350 and Alabama at +550. Texas, who made the College Football Playoff for the first time in 2023 before losing to the Huskies in the semifinal, is at +850, while the Wolverines are at +1000 to repeat as champions.

2024 national championship odds from SportsLine

It is an important offseason for Ohio State after losing to Michigan and failing to make the Big Ten Championshp Game for the third straight season in 2023. The sense of urgency has been made clear with the moves the Buckeyes have made.

The Scarlet and Gray have already added quarterback Will Howard, offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin and running back Quinshon Judkins, all players who could be game-changers, as well as tight end Will Kacmarek from the transfer portal. Ohio State has also received word from defensive end Jack Sawyer, defensive tackles Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton, linebacker Cody Simon and safety Lathan Ransom that they plan to return in 2024, giving the Buckeyes the core of a defense that ranked as one of the best in the country this past season. More announcements are expected shortly from members of the Scarlet and Gray junior class.

If the offensive line can protect and Howard's experience makes a difference at quarterback, there are reasons for optimism that Ohio State can meet expectations in 2024. While the odds will fluctuate throughout the offseason, the Buckeyes will feel good about their chances next fall based on the early trajectory of the offseason.