Ohio State Football: Ranking Buckeyes’ 2020 opponents by toughness

Playing against Mark Dantonio-coached Michigan State teams was never truly easy for Ohio State (other than the 2017 season) but now that he’s gone, the Buckeyes might take advantage of a new staff and a relatively inexperienced roster.

Michigan State will be starting a new quarterback under Mel Tucker and the defense might take a step back with a number of starters on the defensive line and in the defensive backfield graduating.

The fact that this is in East Lansing makes it slightly more interesting, however.

Michael Penix Jr. is one of the most exciting young stars in the Big Ten and if this game were played in Bloomington, it’d have upset written all over it.

However, the Hoosiers seem to have a tough time with the Buckeyes every time they play in Columbus and this season will be no different. Tom Allen is doing a great job with the program and turning it into a perennial winner, but don’t expect Big Ten East contention in 2020.