Ohio State Buckeyes have reclaimed the nation's top spot in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, a position they last held after a 12-2 campaign that ended a lengthy Big Ten title drought.
Key Matchups to Watch
Their schedule reads like a gauntlet, opening with a Week 2 rematch against the No.5 Texas Longhorns, followed by contests against No.2 Oregon, No.14 USC, and a Thanksgiving showdown with No.16 Michigan.
A mid-October meeting with Indiana, the team that captured the Big Ten title and later the national championship, looms as a potential preview of a conference final.
Coach Ryan Day emphasizes that the tough slate is an opportunity to test depth, showcase returning talent, and keep the playoff conversation alive.
With eight Big Ten programs featured in the preseason poll and five conference rivals ranked, the Buckeyes' quest for a repeat appears both promising and perilous.