More way-too-early predictions are out, and the Buckeyes get a nod, but will they go all of the way?
It's "way-too-early" season in College Football's offseason, and for the Ohio State Buckeyes, that usually means good news.
Ohio State is going into 2026 as one of the teams that is going to threaten to go all the way. Unlike years ago, there were maybe four or five teams that were in that category. Next year, there are probably 10 teams that have their sights set on hoisting the trophy.
Today's version of the "way-too-early" is the College Football Playoff. There has been some conversation about an expansion in the CFP, but it will not happen this season; it will likely come in the 2027-28 season.
So, as it stands, there will be 12 teams that have a chance in the postseason to make it happen.
According to On3's Brett McMurphy, here are the teams that make it in at each seed.
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Miami Hurricanes
- Texas Longhorns
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Indiana Hoosiers
- Oregon Ducks
- Utah Utes
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Oklahoma Sooners
- UTSA Roadrunners
This isn't a slight to the Buckeyes; this is a major compliment in my opinion.
Ohio State has what is likely going to be the hardest schedule in the entire country. As it stands right now, Ohio State has seven opponents who were ranked in 2025. Not only that, they have pockets of the schedule that are very tough, including a back-to-back against Illinois and Iowa and a three-game stretch of Indiana, USC, and Oregon.
The route will be a tough one, but if the Buckeyes handle business, they will absolutely be in the top four teams in the playoffs, worthy of a bye week.
There is a discussion to be had about that being an advantage or a disadvantage, but that's not for now.
This ranking would set Ohio State up with a second-round game against either Oklahoma or Texas Tech.
McMurphy has the Fighting Irish winning the trophy, which would maybe set up a National Title rematch in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The standard in Columbus is not only to reach the playoffs but to make a run to the title and to win it. If they complete a run through the regular season that they have scheduled and through the playoffs it would be far and away Ryan Day's best coaching job.
Beyond that, it would be one of the great coaching jobs ever.
Ohio State's roster has taken a step back, its schedule has taken a step up, and the Playoffs will be that much harder.
The 2026-27 season can't come soon enough, and the Buckeyes are going to be chomping at the bit to get back to where they belong at the top of the sport.
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