The 2025 college football season is officially in the books, capped off by a stunning national championship win from Indiana - yes, that Indiana - over Miami, 27-21. It’s a story straight out of a sports movie: a team that finished 3-9 just two seasons ago now hoisting the College Football Playoff trophy. Head coach Curt Cignetti and his staff pulled off one of the most dramatic turnarounds we’ve seen in recent memory.
For Ohio State, the season wrapped up three weeks earlier in the Cotton Bowl, where the Buckeyes fell to Miami 24-14 in the CFP quarterfinal. After entering the year with sky-high expectations - and deservedly so, coming off a national title in 2024 and spending most of the regular season perched at No. 1 - the ending stung. This was a team built to repeat, and falling short in the first round of the Playoff wasn’t part of the plan.
Still, there’s plenty of reason for optimism in Columbus. The Buckeyes are reloading, not rebuilding - and the 2026 roster is shaping up to be another serious contender.
Let’s start with the offense. Quarterback Julian Sayin is back, and that alone gives Ohio State a high ceiling.
Sayin showed poise beyond his years in 2025, and with another offseason under his belt, he’s poised to take the next step. He’ll be throwing to Jeremiah Smith, a wideout who’s as electric as they come and a matchup nightmare for any secondary.
Add in four returning starters on the offensive line, and you’ve got the core of a unit that can score with anyone in the country.
Defensively, though, there’s going to be some turnover - and some growing pains. Eight starters are moving on, including standout names like defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, cornerback Davison Igbinosun, and safety Caleb Downs.
That’s a lot of experience and playmaking walking out the door. But the Buckeyes haven’t been sitting still.
They’ve been aggressive in the transfer portal and have a pipeline of talent ready to step into bigger roles. Expect some new faces to emerge on that side of the ball.
Before we fully turn the page to 2026, though, it’s worth taking one last look at how Ohio State stacked up statistically in 2025 - both nationally and within the Big Ten. It’s a way to understand not just where things went wrong, but also where the Buckeyes excelled and what they can build on moving forward.
Here’s how Ohio State ranked in several key statistical categories at the end of the 2025 season, per CFBStats.com:
[Note: Insert detailed statistical rankings here if needed - e.g., total offense, scoring defense, third-down conversion rate, etc.]
These numbers help tell the story of a team that was elite in many areas but couldn’t quite put it all together when it mattered most. The offense had firepower, but consistency was an issue.
The defense had talent, but depth was tested late in the year. And in a Playoff loss to Miami, those small cracks became too big to overcome.
Now, with a new season on the horizon and plenty of talent returning, the Buckeyes are looking to turn the page. The standard in Columbus hasn’t changed - it’s championship or bust. And with the pieces they’ve got coming back, don’t be surprised if Ohio State is right back in the thick of the national title hunt next fall.