Ohio State’s football program enters the 2026‑27 season as the clear favorite to finish atop the AP Poll, with Kalshi market data assigning an 89 percent probability to the Buckeyes holding the No. 1 spot.
The confidence stems from a historic roster that features quarterback Julian Sayin, who threw for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2023 and ranks among the nation’s top five signal callers, and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who amassed 2,558 yards and 27 scores, making him arguably the most potent receiver in the country.
Roster reshaping and defensive adjustments
After a draft that produced 11 selections, including four first‑round picks, Ohio State bolstered its receiving corps with transfers Chris Henry Jr., Devin McCuin and Kyler Parker, while the defense lost key contributors Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs but added a wave of four‑star talent such as Earl Little Jr., Christian Alliegro, Terry Moore, James Smith and Qua Russaw.
The AFCA Coaches Poll already placed the Buckeyes at No. 1, setting a high bar for the team’s opening games, and the official AP Top 25 will be released on August 17, 2024, at noon EST, a date that will finally confirm the market’s expectations.
Even with Texas, Notre Dame and Oregon breathing down the Buckeyes’ heels — each holding roughly 45 percent chances of usurping the top spot — Ohio State’s combination of pedigree, recent championships and a deep recruiting class keeps them perched at the summit, poised to repeat as the nation’s leading program.