The Ohio State Buckeyes sit atop the 2026 preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll heading into the season.
Last year, prior to the beginning of the season, the Ohio State Buckeyes were ranked as the No. 2 team in the country according to the annual preseason coaches' Top 25 poll.
Ohio State quickly jumped to the top spot in the rankings after week one when they took down the then-No. 1 Texas Longhorns. They didn't look back until the Big Ten Championship game, when they were cut down by the Indiana Hoosiers.
This year, they don't have to wait at all. Their season begins with them at the top of the charts, and for good reason.
This Ohio State team isn't the most complete team that Ryan Day and Ohio State have ever had, but it is still going to be a darn good one.
The straw that stirs the drink is wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Smith is, without debate, the player with the most potential in the country. I tend to believe that he is the best player in the country, but there is a debate to be heard, albeit not a good one.
The biggest variable for the Buckeyes is at the quarterback position. Julian Sayin comes back for his second year starting and hopefully his final year. If things go the way they are supposed to, he will be off to the NFL in about eight months time.
That is a major "if" because what Sayin showed last year is enough to generate more than a little concern. He was great against the bad teams and struggled against the three quality teams that the Buckeyes played last year. This year, Ohio State doesn't get the luxury of an easy Big Ten schedule. They drew the short straw and have a gauntlet. Sayin has to make immense improvements next year.
In front of Sayin is one of the most veteran offensive lines in the country, protecting Sayin and blocking for Bo Jackson, Isaiah West, and a little bit of freshman Legend Bey. Those three in the backfield will be a three-headed monster that could be pretty special.
On defense, the Buckeyes have to replace just about everyone of significance from last year.
There will be a lot of new names on the Buckeyes' defense that are, frankly, unproven. It's not to say that they can't do it; they will just have to prove themselves and do it against some of the best competition in America.
Ohio State's roster is in the top tier of college football next year, but there are a lot of blanks that need filled in. A lot of those questions will be answered early and for the Buckeyes, they have the luxury of learning who they will be all while being at the top of the rankings, at least to start the season.
