Is Ohio State football the 'big dog' in the Big Ten with Jim Harbaugh gone?

Ohio State football fans got some good news last week as Jim Harbaugh decided to take the open Los Angeles Chargers job after nine seasons with Michigan.

Sure, in those nine seasons, he finished with a losing 3-5 record against the Buckeyes, but he did win three straight in the rivalry as well as three consecutive Big Ten titles and he was fresh off Michigan's first national championship in over 25 years. It felt like he was building a powerhouse in Ann Arbor, even if it was slightly tainted by the sign-stealing scandal.

Harbaugh's departure opens the door for Ohio State to reclaim its spot atop the Big Ten hierarchy on the gridiron, but are the Buckeyes a lock to take over as the conference's big brother again?

The answer is a little complicated because I do believe that the Buckeyes will take control of the rivalry again -- at least next year -- but there will be new blood in the conference that's going to make it difficult to completely take over. Programs like Oregon, Washington, and USC will make it difficult for the Buckeyes to just take over completely -- mostly look at the Ducks.

But Ohio State is in the best position, in my opinion, to take the crown from Michigan next season as the Wolverines (likely) take a couple of steps back in the post-Harbaugh era.

That will, however, require Ryan Day to step his game up and I'm not sure if he's capable of completely dominating the conference especially with Oregon coming in. It'll be tough for him, but I think he's set up for success for the forseeable future and I think Ohio State needs to take the reins again.

Will the Buckeyes? I think if they don't in 2024, they need to move on from Day.