They were led by head coach Urban Meyer in his seventh and final season at Ohio State.

The Buckeyes won each of their three games under Ryan Day to open the season, including a victory over then-No.

After Urban Meyer's return, Ohio State won their following four games, including a close win on the road over then-No.

Ohio State rose to second in the AP Poll, but suffered a devastating loss on the road to Purdue, 49–20.

Ohio State defeated West Division champion Northwestern in that game convincingly, 45–24, but in the final College Football Playoff rankings of the year, the Buckeyes were ranked sixth, leaving them just outside the playoff for the second consecutive year.

Haskins was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, finishing in third.

Defensive star and pre-season All-American lineman Nick Bosa suffered a groin injury during the game against TCU.