COLUMBUS, Ohio — The OSU football team opens their 2024 campaign on Saturday, taking on the Akron Zips. Ohio State is ranked No.2 in the preseason AP poll.

Last season, Ohio State went 11-2, with one of the loses being in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, where multiple starters did not play. Their only regular season loss was to rival Michigan, ending their 2023 College Football Playoff hopes. Michigan went on to win the National Championship.

The 2024 OSU team has some new faces, but the same goal of bringing a National Championship to Columbus.

Starting QB Will Howard

After transferring in from Kansas State, quarterback Will Howard won the starting job in training camp. During his four seasons at Kansas State, Howard threw for 5,786 yards and 48 touchdowns. He is also a threat with his legs, rushing for 19 touchdowns in his career.

2023 starting quarterback Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse.

New college football playoff

The NCAA announced a new format for the CFP that will see 12 teams fight for the National Championship.

The top four teams will receive a first-round bye to the quarterfinals.

New look Big Ten

With the fall of the PAC-12 the Big Ten annouced there will now be 18 teams in the conference. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Oregon, University of Southern California (USC) and the University of Washington will be joining the BIG10. There will no longer be a divisional format.

Full season schedule for OSU

OSU will play eight of their twelve total games at home this season. Big Ten play will begin on Sept. 28 when they travel to Michigan State and will culminate on Nov. 30 when they host rival Michigan. Kickoff times for some games have not been announced yet.