ESPN's Paul Finebaum thinks Ohio State will play a rising SEC program in the 2026 College Football Playoff national championship.
The Ohio State Buckeyes looked well on their way to making another national championship run before running into Indiana in the Big Ten championship.
Ohio State lost the contest 13-10 before getting set to play No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl.
The Hurricanes' trenches proved too much for the Buckeyes, as Miami overpowered them in a 24-14 win. Miami would go on to make the CFP national championship but lose to No. 1 Indiana 27-21 on Monday night.
OSU will have high expectations to return to the CFP in 2026.
During an appearance on ESPN's "SportsCenter" on Tuesday, ESPN's Paul Finebaum predicted Ohio State to make the CFP national championship in 2026.
“And I think Ohio State," Finebaum said of who would make the title game next season, via transcription from On3.
"I am still baffled at what happened to Ohio State, because they had the best roster in college football, but they simply couldn’t get it done. So that’s where we began this year. That’s where I think we’re going to begin in late August, when the season begins.”
Finebaum, predictably picking an SEC program, is projecting Texas to be Ohio State's opponent. He thinks the Longhorns will be a much better team in 2026, Arch Manning's second season as the starting quarterback.
“But I think you have to start with Texas," Finebaum said. "I know we started with Texas this year, but Arch Manning is much better, and he’ll have a much more significant role because of some of the compliments they have gotten in the portal. "
Per 247Sports, Texas is ranked No. 3 in the transfer portal for 2026. The Longhorns should be a scary team next season with Manning.
Manning and the Longhorns started off slow, losing 14-7 to Ohio State in the season opener. Since then, Manning has developed into one of the better quarterbacks in the FBS.
The Longhorns and Buckeyes will meet again in Week 12 on Sept. 12 in Austin.
Like many thought of the 2025 contest, that matchup could be a preview of the national championship for next January.