Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2023

Ryan Day, Ohio State Buckeyes. (Photograph by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Pictures)

The Ohio State Buckeyes will look to get again into the Faculty Soccer Playoff this season.

No group might be extra anxious to get the season began than the Ohio State Buckeyes.

With the stroke of midnight and the calendar flipping over, the Buckeyes’ once-promising 2022 marketing campaign ended immediately in 2023. Regardless of being the fourth group within the Faculty Soccer Playoff, they proved everybody fallacious over the notion that they didn’t belong, even in defeat. Too unhealthy shut solely counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Like Noah Ruggles’ subject objective attempt, he pulled the pin…

Let’s check out what the Buckeyes must navigate on their regular-season schedule.

Ohio State soccer: Way-too-early recreation predictions for 2023 Buckeyes

1

Indiana Hoosiers

Away Sept. 2

Indiana gained’t comprehend it’s unhealthy but, which may make for an fascinating ballgame

For no matter motive, we all the time appear to take a look at street video games in Bloomington within the first half of the season with some stage of intrigue. That is earlier than basketball season arrives at IU and Indiana nonetheless has some hope that it will probably put collectively a successful product on the soccer subject. So with that in thoughts, Indiana would possibly really push the Buckeyes a bit greater than persons are most likely anticipating.

Winner: Ohio State (1-0)

2

Youngstown State Penguins

Dwelling Sept. 9

If Ryan Day loses to the Penguins, he must be compelled to stroll to Antarctica

The zoo could also be very good, however you possibly can’t lose to the Youngstown State Penguins, not even when Jim Tressel want to beg and differ. Will probably be a pleasant early afternoon in Columbus in pretty early September. This might be a chance for Ryan Day’s Buckeyes to scrub some issues up offensively, in addition to for Jim Knowles to indicate us what he is aware of on the defensive aspect of issues.

Winner: Ohio State (2-0)

3

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Dwelling Sept. 16

Look for the Buckeyes to go 1-0 vs. Group of 5 competitors this school season

As a result of they play a nine-game convention schedule, the Buckeyes solely get to play three non-conference video games yearly. Destiny would have it, they solely face one Group of 5 opponent this yr. Though the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are identified for slinging the ball like a towel, they are going to rating factors on the Buckeyes. Sadly for them, the Buckeyes have extra good gamers.

Winner: Ohio State (3-0)

4

Notre Dame Combating Irish

Away Sept. 23

Buckeyes can have the luck of the Irish, even after leaving The Horseshoe behind

This would be the first actual take a look at of the Buckeyes’ season. No, they won’t be getting Marcus Freeman in Recreation 2 of his Notre Dame tenure in The Horseshoe. The Combating Irish got here alive within the second half of final yr to complete with a good mark. If Sam Hartman performs as much as his lofty customary, possibly the Irish maintain serve? Then once more, the Buckeyes had been constructed for large video games like this.

Winner: Ohio State (4-0)

The Buckeyes might be on their annual bye after having completed their non-conference season slate.