The Ohio State Buckeyes are heading into 2026 with something to prove - and a chip on their shoulder the size of the Horseshoe.
Last season didn’t end the way anyone in Columbus had hoped. After a dominant run through most of the year, the Buckeyes stumbled down the stretch, dropping their final two games.
That skid cost them a shot at a Big Ten title and a chance to repeat as national champions. Instead, they ended their year with a tough loss in the Cotton Bowl - a bitter pill for a team that had looked like one of the most complete squads in the country.
Now, the mission is clear: flush the frustration of 2025 and get back to chasing trophies. And make no mistake - this roster still has the firepower to do it.
Even with standout receiver Carnell Tate off to the NFL, Ohio State’s offense has the potential to be even more explosive in 2026. The quarterback room is loaded, the offensive line returns key experience, and the skill positions are stacked with talent. If they can find rhythm and consistency early, this group could be electric.
But here’s the rub - the road back to the top won’t be easy. In fact, it might be one of the toughest paths Ohio State has faced in years.
Their 2026 schedule is a gauntlet. We're talking about matchups that will test every phase of this team, week in and week out.
Road games at Texas and Indiana, plus showdowns with USC and, of course, The Game against Michigan - there’s very little margin for error. And with a defense undergoing some turnover from last year’s elite unit, there are questions that need answering.
That’s where Matt Patricia comes in. The veteran coach is back in the fold, and his return should bring some stability to the defensive side of the ball. Last year’s defense was nothing short of elite - one of the best in program history - and while replicating that level of dominance won’t be easy, the expectation is that Patricia can keep the unit playing at a high level.
Still, CBS Sports isn’t buying the Buckeyes as true contenders in 2026. Analyst Cody Nagel predicts Ohio State will drop three games this season - a rare occurrence for a program that hasn’t lost more than two in a single year since 2011. Nagel points to the brutal schedule and the number of top-25 opponents on the slate as reasons for concern.
That kind of prediction isn’t sitting well with Buckeye Nation - and understandably so. This is a program that expects to be in the national title conversation every year. And while the schedule is daunting, this team has the pedigree, the coaching, and the talent to rise to the challenge.
The key will be consistency, especially on offense. If the Buckeyes can find a groove early and avoid the kind of late-season letdown that derailed last year’s campaign, they’ll be right back in the thick of the playoff hunt.
So yes, the road is tough. But Ohio State wouldn’t want it any other way. This is a team built for big moments - and 2026 is full of them.