Ohio State faces make-or-break season in expanded Big Ten

• Ohio State ranked No. 2 in the preseason in both the Associated Preseason Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll.

Yes, but: The Buckeyes also ranked second in last year's preseason polls but failed to make the College Football Playoff.

The intrigue: The traditionally Midwestern Big Ten continued a push to the coasts it started 10 years ago when it went east by sprinkling in some West Coast flavor in 2024.

• The addition of USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon has pushed the Big Ten from 14 teams to 18, making it the largest conference.

State of play: The 2024 AP poll also includes five other Big Ten teams with No. 3 Oregon, No. 8 Penn State, No. 9 Michigan, No. 23 USC and No. 25 Iowa.

• OSU's first major test of the season is expected to come on Oct. 5 against Iowa. The Buckeyes then head to Oregon on Oct. 12.

What they're saying: In July, Ohio State coach Ryan Day, who some feel is on the hot seat this year, told reporters the team's 2024 theme is "Leave No Doubt."

• "Look back at where we've been the past several years when games that came down to the final play could have been put away earlier. Coming up a drive short, a play short — you can't leave it to one drive. You can't leave it to one play. You just can't. You have to leave no doubt. That's it."

Flashback: OSU's top rival, the Michigan Wolverines, are the reigning Big Ten champs and claimed the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship with a 34-13 win over Washington.

• OSU has lost to Michigan three years in a row and hosts the Wolverines on Nov. 30.

The bottom line: Big Ten football is back, and this expanded season, good or bad, is sure to be one to remember for OSU fans.