After a season that ended with a thud-back-to-back losses in the Big Ten Championship and Cotton Bowl-Ohio State fans have every right to feel a little bruised. But let’s not pretend the 2025 campaign was a total wash. Between the emergence of a star-studded QB-WR duo, a defense that remained elite despite major turnover, and a long-awaited win over Michigan, there’s still plenty of reason for optimism in Columbus heading into 2026.
Here are three big takeaways from the Buckeyes' season that should have fans feeling encouraged about what’s ahead.
Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith: The Future Is Now
Losing Carnell Tate to the NFL hurts-no doubt about it. But when you’ve still got Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin in scarlet and gray, you’re not exactly starting from scratch.
Smith silenced any transfer rumors earlier this month, confirming he’ll be back in Columbus next fall. And with Sayin also returning after a breakout season that saw him land as a Heisman finalist in his first year as a starter, Ohio State’s offensive core remains intact-and dangerous.
Even as the offense sputtered down the stretch, Smith continued to look like the best player in college football. He torched Indiana for 144 yards at 18 yards per catch, then followed it up with 157 yards and a touchdown on just seven grabs against Miami. That’s not just production-that’s dominance, even when the rest of the offense was struggling to find its footing.
Sayin, for his part, showed poise beyond his years. His chemistry with Smith is already elite, and with another offseason to build on that foundation, this duo has the potential to be the most lethal in the country.
Of course, none of it works without protection. The offensive line was a weak point late in the season, and it showed-both in the passing game and on the ground.
Fixing that unit will be a top priority this offseason. But if the Buckeyes can shore up the trenches, they’ve got the firepower to light up scoreboards in 2026.
A Defense That Refuses to Rebuild
Ohio State’s defense was supposed to take a step back this year. After a dominant 2024, the Buckeyes lost key pieces to the NFL and saw defensive coordinator Jim Knowles bolt for Penn State. Enter Matt Patricia-and all he did was take an already elite unit and make it even better.
The Buckeyes led the nation in total defense, passing defense, and scoring defense, and they finished seventh in rushing defense. Red zone?
Locked down. Even in the Big Ten title game loss to Indiana, the defense gave up just one touchdown.
That’s how high the bar was-and how consistently they met it.
Now, the cycle begins again. Caleb Downs, Kayden McDonald, and Arvell Reese are all off to the NFL, and yes, there will be some growing pains.
But Patricia’s already reloading, not rebuilding. Two of the biggest additions so far: James Smith and Qua Russaw, a defensive line-linebacker tandem out of Alabama who bring starting experience and SEC-caliber toughness.
And don’t overlook the talent that’s sticking around. Safety Jaylen McClain earned his starting spot opposite Downs and made the most of it, finishing with 53 tackles (42 solo) and three passes defended. A third-team All-Big Ten selection, McClain is poised to become a leader on the back end.
With Patricia at the helm, this defense isn’t going anywhere. If anything, it’s becoming a destination for elite talent. The Buckeyes may be in transition, but they’re not in trouble.
Finally, a Win Over Michigan-and What It Means
Let’s be honest: For all the big wins and playoff appearances, that Michigan losing streak had started to loom large. Ryan Day’s record against the Wolverines was becoming the one blemish on an otherwise stellar resume.
That narrative? It’s dead.
Ohio State didn’t just beat Michigan-they handled them. On the road.
In a game that mattered. Sayin threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns, and the run game-so often a liability in this rivalry-finally delivered.
Bo Jackson went for 117 yards, including a 36-yard burst that helped flip the momentum.
The final score: 27-9. No flukes.
No controversy. Just a statement.
That win doesn’t erase the sting of missing out on a Big Ten title or falling short in the bowl game. But it does change the tone around the program heading into 2026.
The pressure on Day? Eased.
The rivalry? Balanced.
And the belief in the locker room? Reinforced.
Beating Michigan matters. It always has. And with that monkey off their back, the Buckeyes can move forward without the weight of the past three years dragging them down.
Looking Ahead
There’s work to do-no question. The offensive line needs a makeover.
The defense will need to blend new faces with returning talent. And expectations, as always in Columbus, will be sky-high.
But with a Heisman-caliber quarterback, the best receiver in the country, a defense that’s still among the nation’s best, and the confidence that comes from finally slaying their biggest rival, the Buckeyes are in a strong position to make another run in 2026.
The season didn’t end the way they wanted. But the foundation is there. And it’s solid.