ESPN tabs Ohio State No. 1 in early rankings. Can Julian Sayin, Bo Jackson, and Jeremiah Smith lead the Buckeyes back to championship glory?
The Ohio State Buckeyes made a valiant effort to defend their 2024 national title last season, but fell short in their final two contests of the season in the Big Ten Championship Game and College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
In retrospect, the team's two losses to Indiana and Miami don't look so bad, as the Hoosiers and Hurricanes played for the CFP national championship.
Ohio State had a stellar defense, but the offense was young with quarterback Julian Sayin in his first season.
Much of the Buckeyes’ talent on defense is headed to the 2026 NFL Draft later this month. The offense needs to show maturity this fall as the team welcomes in newcomers on the defensive side of the ball.
ESPN's Mark Schlabach seems to think Ohio State is capable of making those transitions work. In his way-too-early top 25 predictions, he listed OSU as the No. 1 team in the country.
"With quarterback Julian Sayin, tailback Bo Jackson and all-world receiver Jeremiah Smith returning, the Buckeyes should be back in the national championship hunt," Schlabach wrote. "OSU's offense is going to be difficult to stop, especially if its offensive line improves."
"Coach Ryan Day hired former NFL head coach/offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to replace offensive coordinator Brian Hartline. That recipe worked on defense, as former NFL defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has turned OSU's unit into one of the sport's best. Ohio State will have to navigate one of the most demanding schedules in the FBS, including games at Texas, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and USC."
The Buckeyes arguably have the best roster in the country. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith should have won the Heisman Trophy last season if the award wasn't a quarterback's honor for college football. Smith is the best player in college.
The schedule will be daunting for the Buckeyes. Ohio State's contest at Texas on Sept. 12 should be a gauge for what the team can handle in 2026.
The Longhorns and quarterback Arch Manning reloaded this offseason, hoping to make a return to the CFP. Ohio State defeated Texas 14-7 in Week 1 last season.
Texas wants revenge, and a loss for Ohio State could jeopardize the team's chances of making the CFP, given the remaining schedule.