Ohio State’s football program has entered the offseason with a clear signal: the Buckeyes are the preseason No. 1 team in the latest CBS Sports post‑spring college football rankings, a position that reflects both the program’s recent triumphs and the high hopes for the upcoming 2026 campaign.
A Schedule That Tests Ambition
The centerpiece of that optimism is a demanding slate that begins with a road test against the No. 2 Texas Longhorns in Week 2, followed by matchups that pit Ohio State against No. 3 Oregon, No. 6 Indiana, No. 14 USC, No. 16 Michigan and No. 23 Iowa, among others, promising a schedule that could shape the playoff picture.
Adding to the narrative, quarterback Julian Sayin will step into a second year as the starter, giving the offense continuity, while wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is set to return, providing a potent weapon for the attack.
Defensive Overhaul and Coaching Change
Defensively, the team has undertaken a major rebuild after losing the majority of its front‑line players to the NFL, a shift that has prompted the hiring of former NFL assistant Arthur Smith to replace longtime coordinator Brian Hartline, a move that could redefine the unit’s identity.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, the Buckeyes have emphasized recruiting and summer workouts, aiming to translate the preseason hype into on‑field execution, a strategy that mirrors the approach that brought them to a 12‑2 record in 2025 before a disappointing finish in the Big Ten Championship and the first round of the College Football Playoff.
The Road Ahead
The upcoming months will reveal how the Buckeyes blend experience with fresh faces, and whether the new defensive scheme can hold up against elite competition. As the team travels from Ohio to Texas, Oregon, and beyond, the narrative will be written not just in scores but in the evolution of a program that refuses to settle for anything less than the top spot.