The Road to a Potential Trilogy
The Buckeyes open their 2026 campaign with a home showdown against Ball State in Columbus, a game that sets the tone for a season loaded with ambition and scrutiny.
Analyst Brett McMurphy has laid out a bold scenario in which Ohio State secures the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff, a position that could reshape the entire bracket.
The program’s recent history adds urgency: a national championship in 2021 ended a decade‑long drought, but a loss in the 2023 Cotton Bowl to Miami reminded fans that expectations must be reset before another title run can be imagined.
If the projections hold, the Buckeyes would navigate a hypothetical path that includes a Rose Bowl rematch against the Texas Longhorns, a Sugar Bowl clash with the Texas Tech Raiders, and a quarterfinal victory over the Mountain West champion UNLV before potentially meeting the Oregon Ducks in the national title game.
Such a run would place Ryan Day’s legacy on the line; a second championship in three years could cement his place in Ohio State lore, while a miss would leave him with a single ring and heightened criticism.
The stakes also extend to star receiver Jeremiah Smith, whose personal narrative of winning two titles in three years would be altered if the Buckeyes fall short of a repeat.
Beyond the on‑field storylines, the anticipation among fans and alumni reflects a program eager to reclaim its dominant place in college football, making the 2026 season one of the most watched in recent memory.