It’s the college football offseason folks, and that means a ton of lists and rankings are out there. Heck, we’re not throwing any shade because we’ve gotten into the act and will continue to do so.
However, we’ve been following ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg and his future power rankings pieces that try to project ahead for the next three years (2022, 2023 and 2024). He already had Ohio State extremely high in his future quarterback rankings and his future offense rankings, and now he’s back to take a look at the defensive side of the ball.
If you are interested in what Rittenberg says about the entire 25-team list, you can get a peek at it yourself by heading on over to ESPN (subscription required), but we’re just going to focus on the rankings and what he says about YOUR Ohio State Buckeyes.
So, where does Rittenberg think Ohio State will be over the next three years when it comes to stopping the opponent, something that has to get much better from the last couple of seasons? Pretty much where the Buckeyes have been for a while. Here’s what Rittenberg has to say and where OSU is ranked in his assessment.
As usual, we unveil things by saving the best for the last.
25
Boise State Broncos
Boise State running back Andrew Van Buren (21) leads the team onto the field carrying the Dan Paul Hammer before an NCAA college football game against New Mexico Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 37-0. AP Photo/Steve Conner
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: Not Ranked
24
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma helmets are seen before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 19
23
Auburn defensive lineman Caleb Johnson (45) lays out Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill (8) at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Auburn defeated Mississippi State 56-23. USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 10
22
Iowa State Cyclones
Jan. 2, 2021; Glendale, Arizona; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell receives an ice water shower from his players after defeating the Oregon Ducks 34-17 at the 50th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Rob Schumacher/Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Network
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 18
21
Florida Gators
Nov. 20, 2021; Columbia, Missouri; A general view of a Florida Gators’ helmet against the Missouri Tigers during the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 12
20
NC State Wolfpack
Nov. 13, 2021; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; A North Carolina State Wolfpack helmet is seen on the sideline during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Truist Field. William Howard/USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: Not Ranked
19
UAB Blazers
Dec. 18, 2021; Shreveport, LA, USA; UAB Blazers tight end Gerrit Prince (20) reacts after defeating the BYU Cougars in the 2021 Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. Petre Thomas/USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 21
18
Kentucky Wildcats
Oct. 27, 2018; Columbia; A general view of a Kentucky Wildcats helmet during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. Kentucky won 15-14. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: Not Ranked
17
Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin yells during the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. Syndication The Columbus Dispatch
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 17
16
San Diego State Aztecs
San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke talks to other coaches before an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Provo, Utah. George Frey/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: Not Ranked
15
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oct. 30, 2021; Stillwater; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy looks up at the scoreboard during the fourth quarter against Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma State won 55-3. Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: Not Ranked
14
Oregon Ducks
Dec. 29, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; The Oregon Ducks mascot on the field during the second half of the 2021 Alamo Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Alamodome. Daniel Dunn/USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 6
13
Baylor Bears
Jan. 1, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda is doused with sports drink by his players in the final seconds of the Bears victory over the Mississippi Rebels in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: Not Ranked
12
Utah Utes
Dec. 3, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada; Oregon Ducks quarterback Anthony Brown (13) is brought down by Utah Utes defensive tackle Junior Tafuna (58) during the first half of the 2021 Pac-12 Championship Game at Allegiant Stadium. Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 16
11
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Zach Harrison (9) celebrates a sack by linebacker Palaie Gaoteote IV (21) during the third quarter of the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. USA TODAY Sports Network
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 5
10
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97), linebacker Michael Barrett (23) and defensive back Vincent Gray (4) celebrate behind Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) during the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. USA TODAY Sports Network
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 24
9
LSU Tigers
Oct. 6, 2018; Gainesville, Florida; A detailed view of LSU Tigers football helmets against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 8
8
Cincinnati Bearcats
Dec. 31, 2021; Arlington, Texas; Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell on the sidelines during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2021 Cotton Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at AT&T Stadium. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 7
7
Iowa Hawkeyes
Bryon Houlgrave / Des Moines Register – USA TODAY Network
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 13
6
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Nov. 27, 2021; Stanford, California; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman stands on the sideline during the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 11
5
Wisconsin Badgers
Jan. 1, 2020; Pasadena, California; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Paul Chryst looks on in the first half against the Oregon Ducks in the 106th Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 9
4
Alabama Crimson Tide
Jan 9, 2016; Tempe, Arizona; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban during a football team practice in an indoor facility at Arizona State University. Erich Schlegel/USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 3
3
Texas A&M Aggies
Nov. 27, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher looks on during the first half against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Stephen Lew/USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 4
2
Georgia Bulldogs
Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 2
1
Clemson Tigers
Nov. 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney signals to his players in the second quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Matt Cashore/USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Previous Ranking
2021 Future Defense Ranking: No. 1
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