Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day made a bold move by bringing in Arthur Smith as the offensive coordinator for the 2026 season. While Smith's expertise lies with running backs, his NFL experience adds a new dimension to the Buckeyes' strategy. OSU boasts a wealth of big-play talent in their receiving corps and tight end room, which means quarterback Julian Sayin will need to air it out to maximize their potential.
The stakes are high for Day and Smith, perhaps more so than any other head coach/offensive coordinator duo in the nation. With significant investments fueling the program, expectations are through the roof. After clinching the championship in 2024 and dominating the regular season, last year's postseason disappointment still lingers, partly due to the untimely departure of Brian Hartline.
Day has faced criticism for taking over play-calling duties and not extracting the best from an otherwise efficient offense against teams like Indiana and Miami. As he collaborates with Smith to integrate Ohio State's system, the pressure is on to deliver results.
The Buckeyes are up against one of the toughest schedules in college football. While a three-loss season might still keep them in the CFP conversation, there are certain games they simply cannot afford to lose.
Ball State
Imagine the unimaginable: Ball State Cardinals pulling off an upset in what would be the ultimate trap game, just before OSU's showdown with the Texas Longhorns in Austin. It's an unlikely scenario, but losing this game would be a shockwave through Buckeye Nation. While it seems improbable, the game still needs to be played.
Kent State
A loss here would be even more unthinkable. Falling to an in-state rival like Kent State, which has only managed six wins over the past three seasons, would be a significant embarrassment.
Ohio State could be looking to rebound with a vengeance at home in Week 3. There's virtually no scenario where the Golden Flashes topple the Buckeyes.
Maryland
Now we're entering more plausible territory, though still unlikely. The Maryland Terrapins, under Mike Locksley's persistent leadership, haven't seen much improvement through the transfer portal.
How they plan to gain momentum remains a mystery. Playing at home in the "Shoe," a loss here would be more shocking than any result from the 2025 season.
Even if Locksley were replaced mid-season, an upset would still defy expectations.
Northwestern
The Buckeyes' journey continues with Northwestern, another team to watch out for. While the Wildcats may not seem threatening on paper, every game in this rigorous schedule poses its own challenges. Ohio State must remain vigilant and focused to avoid any slip-ups along the way.