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Buckeyes Dominate 2026: Championship or Bust?
20 Aug
Summary
- Ohio State opens 2026 as preseason No. 1 with championship aspirations.
- Key players include Heisman finalist Julian Sayin and WR1 Jeremiah Smith.
- The Buckeyes face a tougher schedule with high-profile matchups.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are gearing up for the 2026 season with championship aspirations, debuting as the preseason No. 1 team. Under Ryan Day, the team aims to rebound from last year's close losses. The offense features Heisman finalist Julian Sayin at quarterback and unanimous All-American Jeremiah Smith as WR1, bolstered by running back Bo Jackson and freshman receiver Chris Henry Jr. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith brings NFL experience to the playbook.
The defense also boasts significant talent, with Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Jaylen McClain on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list. The secondary has been strengthened by new additions from Florida State and Duke, alongside highly-rated freshman Jay Timmons. The Buckeyes' schedule includes key matchups like a road game against Texas and high-profile conference games against USC and Oregon, drawing significant broadcast attention.
Broadcast networks CBS, Fox, and NBC will carry many of the Big Ten games, with Fox having the most telecasts, including the annual rivalry game against Michigan. Nonconference games against Ball State and Kent State will be on Big Ten Network, while the away game against Texas will be televised on ABC. Ohio State's recent success includes a national championship in 2024 and a CFP quarterfinal appearance in 2025, setting the stage for their 2026 campaign.
