Breaking Buckeye Buzz: Steele Drops Ohio State to No. 2 in Big Ten—Fans Sound Off in Fury

In a stunning preseason twist, renowned college football analyst Phil Steele has ignited a firestorm across Buckeye Nation with his latest 2025 Big Ten rankings. Steele, whose annual preview magazine is treated like gospel in many college football circles, placed Ohio State second in the conference behind Michigan—an assessment that has not only raised eyebrows but set social media ablaze with angry reactions from fans in Columbus and beyond.

For a program with the expectations, pedigree, and pressure of Ohio State, any ranking that doesn’t place them atop the Big Ten is bound to ruffle feathers. But for it to come from Steele, a respected voice known for his meticulous detail and insider insight, has added salt to the wound for many diehard supporters who feel their team has done enough this offseason to reclaim the Big Ten throne.

Phil Steele’s justification for the second-place ranking centers around Michigan’s defensive continuity and a more favorable schedule, especially in the early season. While he praises Ohio State’s talent, particularly the loaded defense led by returning stars like JT Tuimoloau, Denzel Burke, and Jack Sawyer, he remains unconvinced about how quickly Will Howard, the Kansas State transfer expected to take the reins at quarterback, will adjust to the Buckeye system.

Ohio State is as deep and talented as any team in the country,” Steele wrote in his breakdown. “But quarterback chemistry, play-calling fluidity, and a brutal November schedule push them just below Michigan—for now.”

Once again, head coach Ryan Day finds himself under scrutiny. Despite an impressive 56–8 overall record since taking the helm, Day’s three consecutive losses to Michigan have cast a dark cloud over his legacy. Many fans see Steele’s ranking as further evidence that the program, while elite, may have lost its dominance in the Big Ten hierarchy.

Indeed, the perception that Michigan has leapfrogged the Buckeyes in the Big Ten pecking order has become more than a talking point—it’s become a rallying cry. And Steele’s ranking only amplifies that frustration.

While the ranking stings, the Buckeyes have every opportunity to prove the doubters wrong. The 2025 schedule is stacked, with marquee games against Texas, Penn State, and of course, Michigan. If the Buckeyes run the gauntlet, they’ll not only reclaim the Big Ten but position themselves for a national title push.

The arrival of Jeremiah Smith, the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2024 recruiting class, and the return of offensive weapons like Emeka Egbuka and TreVeyon Henderson give the Buckeyes plenty of firepower. But all eyes remain on quarterback play and whether Howard—or a breakout from behind—can deliver when it matters most.

Ohio State’s defense, under coordinator Jim Knowles, is expected to be among the nation’s best. With NFL-caliber talent across the board, the Buckeyes may rely more on suffocating opponents than lighting up the scoreboard—a strategy that hasn’t always defined OSU, but may serve them well in 2025.

Meanwhile, Michigan remains a thorn in the Buckeyes’ side. Despite losing head coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL, the Wolverines haven’t missed a beat. New coach Sherrone Moore brings continuity and confidence after leading Michigan to a national title in 2024. With a defense that Steele calls “the fastest and most disciplined in the country,” it’s clear why he sees Michigan as the current frontrunner.