Ohio State enters 2026 with the same familiar aims - win the Big Ten, beat Michigan, and chase a national title - but the road ahead looks anything but familiar.
National analysts are sounding the alarm because Ryan Day’s team is set to navigate one of the most volatile schedules in the program’s history, and the Buckeyes will do it while turning over a defense that has to replace eight starters. That combination leaves almost no margin for mistakes once the season kicks off.
The biggest question is whether Ohio State’s new-look defense can come together fast enough. Even with recruiting classes that continue to rank among the nation’s best, plugging in an entirely new group of linebackers and defensive backs against high-powered offenses is a dangerous proposition. If the communication and tackling aren’t clean right away, the Buckeyes could find themselves in track meets instead of dictating games with field position and control.
The offense, at least, gives Day plenty to work with. Julian Sayin is expected to open the year with major hype, throwing to Jeremiah Smith and operating behind a veteran offensive line. On the ground, Isaiah West and Bo Jackson are expected to shoulder much of the workload.
CBS Sports analyst John Talty went even further, projecting Sayin to win the Heisman Trophy while leading Ohio State to a Big Ten Championship rematch against Indiana. In Talty’s view, Sayin’s accuracy and his command of Day’s system would let the Buckeyes pile up points against conference foes as the defense grows into its role over the course of the season.
But not everyone sees a smooth path. Brad Crawford projected Ohio State to drop three regular-season games - against Texas, Indiana, and Oregon - before landing in the College Football Playoff as the No. 8 seed. In that scenario, the Buckeyes would host Lane Kiffin and LSU in Columbus.
That’s the tension surrounding Ohio State’s season: elite talent on offense, real uncertainty on defense, and a schedule that offers no easy breathers. Road trips to Austin, Iowa City, and Bloomington leave little room for any slip at all, and the way that new defense settles in could decide whether the Buckeyes earn a first-round bye or end up fighting for survival in December.
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Steve Sarkisian Is Still Trying To Explain Ohio State Away
Steve Sarkisian is still circling back to Texas College Football Playoff loss to Ohio State, and the explanation he offered on a podcast did little to make the defeat feel any smaller. The Texas coach pointed to a mental fatigue his team carried into that 2024 game, a night when the Buckeyes controlled the matchup well enough to leave no real doubt about the gap between the programs.
For Ohio State, that game became part of a championship run, the kind of win that lingers because it was followed by even bigger stakes and a trophy at the end of the road. Texas, meanwhile, is trying to move forward with a new offensive system and the kind of confidence that comes from players like Jeremiah Smith, even as the Longhorns continue to deal with questions about a pass defense that was vulnerable a season ago. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio States Most Dangerous Offensive Duo Might Be Even Better Now
Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith are back together for a second season, and the early signs around Ohio State suggest the pairing may be even more dangerous now. The quarterback has taken on a more vocal presence as a leader, and that matters for a Buckeyes offense built around timing, trust and the kind of connection that can stress a defense on every snap.
Ryan Day has already pointed to Sayins leadership as one of the things standing out as the team gets ready for the upcoming season. For Ohio State, the appeal is obvious: if the chemistry between Sayin and Smith keeps sharpening, the Buckeyes could be looking at a passing game that is far harder to slow down than it was a year ago. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Backfield Need Puts This In-State Target In Focus
Ohio States search for help in the backfield has put an in-state target on the radar after a strong high school performance drew fresh attention to Jordan Hall. The 2027 running back from Ohio is already committed to Miami (Ohio), but his recruitment has begun to pick up, with Penn State recently stepping in with an offer and the Buckeyes keeping a close eye on him because of their need at running back.
Hall is set to come to Columbus for a game-day visit next weekend when Ohio State hosts Ball State, giving the Buckeyes a chance to make a stronger impression in person. There is still no offer from Ohio State, but the interest is real enough that this trip could become an important checkpoint in a recruitment that is starting to move. [Read more 🡒]