Could the 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes Be Considered One of the Greatest College Football Teams of the 2000s Era?
The 2024 Ohio State Buckeyes entered the college football season surrounded by immense anticipation and equally intense scrutiny. With a roster stacked with elite talent, a retooled coaching staff led by Ryan Day, and a win-now mentality shaped by near-misses in previous seasons, expectations were sky-high. As the season has unfolded, the Buckeyes have not only met those expectations but in many ways, exceeded them. This has led to an important question being asked across college football circles: should the 2024 Ohio State Buckeyes be ranked among the best teams of the 2000s?
To answer that, it’s essential to examine what defines greatness in the context of college football’s modern era. Since 2000, the sport has seen dynasties form, such as Alabama under Nick Saban, USC under Pete Carroll, and Clemson under Dabo Swinney. These teams not only won games—they dominated, often against elite competition, and did so with star power, elite coaching, and unmistakable swagger. For Ohio State 2024 to belong in that pantheon, they need more than a shiny record—they need legacy-defining wins, dominant performances, and a season arc that will be remembered for decades.
The 2024 Buckeyes certainly have the pieces. Offensively, they’ve showcased one of the most balanced and explosive units in college football. The quarterback play, once a question mark early in the season, has turned into a strength. The team’s offensive leader has shown poise, precision, and playmaking ability under pressure, orchestrating a scheme that allows Ohio State’s deep and talented receiving corps to flourish. Marvin Harrison Jr. may have moved on to the NFL, but his legacy lives on in a receiver room that remains one of the most feared in the country.
What truly sets the 2024 Buckeyes apart, however, might be their defense. Under Jim Knowles, Ohio State’s defense has transformed into a fast, physical, and fundamentally sound unit. The front seven has terrorized opposing quarterbacks, and the secondary—long a source of frustration in Columbus—has become a strength. This year’s defensive unit hasn’t just been good; it’s been elite, the kind of group that wins championships and turns close games into blowouts.
One must also consider the context of Ohio State’s schedule. The 2024 team has not coasted on an easy path. They’ve faced ranked opponents, navigated the tough Big Ten gauntlet, and did so while managing the intense pressure that comes with being one of the most scrutinized programs in college sports. A pivotal victory over Michigan—ending a multi-year drought against their archrival—was not just a morale booster but a national statement. That win reestablished dominance in the rivalry and proved that Ryan Day can deliver when it matters most.
From a historical perspective, comparing 2024 Ohio State to the best teams since 2000 means stacking them up against squads like the 2001 Miami Hurricanes, the 2004 USC Trojans, the 2019 LSU Tigers, and the 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide. Those teams didn’t just win titles—they defined their eras. They produced Heisman winners, top NFL draft picks, and unforgettable performances in the biggest moments.
Can Ohio State’s 2024 squad reach that level? The answer lies in how they finish the season. As of now, their résumé includes high-level wins, statistical dominance, and a team identity that mirrors the traits of past dynasties: depth, discipline, and explosiveness. If they complete an undefeated season and win the national championship—especially with convincing wins in the College Football Playoff—they’ll have a strong case to be remembered as one of the elite teams of the 21st century.
Legacy in college football is built not just on numbers, but on moments. The 2024 Buckeyes have had their share: comeback drives, defensive stands, and blowout victories over highly ranked opponents. But to cement their place in history, they must deliver on the sport’s biggest stages. The College Football Playoff is no longer a novelty—it’s the proving ground. Only teams that rise above elite competition, in back-to-back high-stakes games, can be spoken of in the same breath as the 2000s’ best.
It’s worth noting that the 2024 team has also captured the cultural imagination in ways that few Buckeye squads have since the 2014 national champions. This year’s team has become a symbol of resilience, bouncing back from adversity, silencing critics, and proving that the Buckeyes are not just relevant but dominant once again. That intangible quality—the sense of destiny—is something many of the great teams shared.
Coaching is another major factor. Ryan Day’s evolution in 2024 has mirrored that of his team. Once criticized for falling short in key games, Day has taken command with a new level of intensity and adaptability. His play calling, his personnel decisions, and his leadership have all improved dramatically. His ability to win on the biggest stages, especially if he secures a national title this season, could cement him as not just a good coach, but a great one in the program’s rich history.
Recruiting and player development also play into the equation. The 2024 roster is a showcase of Ohio State’s ability to attract and develop NFL-caliber talent. From the trenches to the skill positions, this is a team built to compete at the highest level. What’s impressive is not just the star power, but the depth. Injuries and adversity have not derailed the Buckeyes, a testament to both roster management and player development. Great teams aren’t just top-heavy—they’re complete.
To be clear, the “greatest of the 2000s” conversation includes giants. The 2001 Miami team had more NFL players than some pro squads. The 2019 LSU team, led by Joe Burrow, lit up the scoreboard in historically unprecedented fashion. The 2004 USC team steamrolled opponents with a Heisman winner and a Hall of Fame coach. The 2020 Alabama team adapted to pandemic-era chaos with machine-like precision. If Ohio State is to belong in that company, their season must culminate in a title—and one won in a fashion that leaves no doubt.
What helps the 2024 Buckeyes’ case is the nature of the modern game. With expanded playoff considerations, NIL influence, and the transfer portal changing roster dynamics, maintaining cohesion and consistency is more difficult than ever. Dominating in this era may actually be more impressive than it was 10 or 20 years ago. If Ohio State can manage that—winning with clarity in a chaotic landscape—it adds weight to their claim.
Of course, college football is a game of narratives. Fans and analysts don’t just remember who won—they remember how they won. They remember dominance, leadership, clutch moments, and iconic players. For the 2024 Ohio State Buckeyes, that story is still being written. But with every win, with every highlight, and with every unanswered challenge, they inch closer to being remembered not just as champions, but as legends.
In the final analysis, the 2024 Ohio State Buckeyes are rightfully in the conversation as one of the best teams of the 2000s. But the defining chapter—the one that will determine whether they stand with Miami, Alabama, LSU, and USC—has yet to be written. A national title, won decisively, would make their case undeniable. Until then, they remain on the brink of history, a team with destiny within reach and greatness just a few games away.
