Gerald “Smoke” Dixon, a 247 Sports analyst, has cast doubt on Ohio State’s chances of winning the national championship in the upcoming 2025 season. Dixon points to the departure of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles as major setbacks for the team. In a recent segment on 247 Sports on CBS Sports, Dixon expressed his skepticism, stating, “No shot. You can’t lose your offensive coordinator and your defensive coordinator. And the guy that’s coming in has one of the most complicated defenses to fit in, to spring, get rolling and beat the team that’s on your schedule.”
The loss of Kelly to the Las Vegas Raiders and Knowles to the Penn State Nittany Lions has left a void in the coaching staff at Ohio State. While Kelly’s departure was expected to be short-lived, Knowles’ move to a conference rival has raised eyebrows among fans. However, there is optimism that head coach Ryan Day’s influence on the defensive side of the ball could help mitigate the impact of these departures.
In other news, Ohio State is gearing up for a quarterback battle following the departure of Will Howard. Instead of looking to the transfer portal for a replacement, Coach Day has decided to turn to internal options. Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz are currently the frontrunners for the starting quarterback position. Day expressed his excitement about the competition, stating, “Weāre excited to see those guys compete, this is an opportunity now for these guys to take it and run.”
Julian Sayin, a highly-touted five-star recruit, is the favorite to win the starting job, with incoming freshman Tavien St. Clair adding depth to the quarterback competition. Day emphasized the growth potential for the quarterbacks during spring practices, highlighting the difference between being a backup and being the one running the offense.
As the Buckeyes prepare for the upcoming season, the quarterback battle and coaching changes will be key storylines to watch. With uncertainty surrounding the team’s championship aspirations, Ohio State will need to overcome these challenges to compete at the highest level in college football.
Overall, the 2025 season promises to be an intriguing one for Ohio State, with new faces stepping up to fill key roles and the team looking to prove the doubters wrong. Stay tuned for more updates as the season approaches.
This article was edited by Nadim El Kak.
