Each of Ohio State's Opponents Post Spring Ranking, According to CBS

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A true labor of love came out of CBS Sports HQ on Thursday. The College Football team there ranked every single Division One team from 1 to 138, and there are storylines galore in this list.

One angle that we could have taken was revealing that Ohio State is, surprisingly, ranked No. 1 in the country. According to this list. So with that as the starting point, let's see the rankings of each opponent that is on Ohio State's schedule.

Week 1: vs. Ball State – No. 134

The Ball State Cardinals have a nice little challenge on their hands to start the 2026 season. After a 4-8 campaign that had them finish 10th in the MAC last year, they open up with the Buckeyes. They had the 133rd-ranked offense and the 103rd-ranked defense last year. 

Week 2: at Texas – No. 2

From the outhouse to the penthouse! The Buckeyes go from playing one of the worst teams in America to one of the best. The Buckeyes have gotten the better of their most visited SEC friend. Two years ago, the Buckeyes upended the Longhorns en route to their National Championship, and then last year, Ohio State escaped with a 14-7 win. This has game of the year potential in week two of the season.

Week 3: vs. Kent State – No. 129

The Golden Flashes make the two-hour drive south to end an absolute gauntlet to start the season. They play South Carolina in week one, Wofford in week two, and then the Buckeyes in week three. Kent improved in 2025 to the middle of the MAC but still finished with a 5-7 record. More importantly, they were 4-4 in the conference, which is their measuring stick.

Week 4: vs. Illinois – No. 28

The Illinois Fighting Illini are coming into 2026 trying to take that next step forward in their program. They were competitive early last year but proved to be fraudulent after getting thumped by Indiana and Ohio State. They were squarely in the Big Ten's middle tier and are looking to leap up to the top.

Week 5: at. Iowa- No. 24

The Iowa Hawkeyes are trying to prove that they, too, can be in the conversation with the top of the Big Ten. They have been the red-headed stepchild for the past decade. Not good enough to compete, but good enough to be a pest. 

Week 6: vs. Maryland – No. 51

CBS is predicting quite the jump for the Maryland Terrapins in 2026. Maryland was 4-8 last year with a 1-8 record in the Big Ten. However, they are planted right next to some pretty decent teams. Good news for the Maryland fanbase.

Week 7: at. Indiana – No. 6

The Hoosiers are back. Last year was not just a flash in the pan. Curt Cignetti didn't build this program to just be a flash in the pan. He built a culture, and he is going to keep his Hoosiers taking the right steps forward. They are going to be a force in 2026.

Week 8: at. USC – No. 14

A trip out west for the Buckeyes to take on the projected No. 14 team in the country. This stretch is an absolute gauntlet for the Buckeyes, and this will not be an easy game for Ohio State. They are the better team, but it will be a tough win.

Week 9: vs. Oregon – No. 3

The Buckeyes come back home and catch the Oregon Ducks in the Horseshoe. Some are predicting that they might get a night game here, but Big Noon Kickoff isn't going to let that one go. This will be the game of the week in early November.

Week 10: vs. Northwestern – No. 48

Ohio State comes out of its toughest stretch with the Wildcats on the other side. Don't get it confused, Northwestern is definitely trending up, but Ohio State is either going to continue some great football, or take out a lot of frustration against the Wildcats.

Week 11: at. Nebraska – No. 35

Nebraska has been stuck in mud for the last five years. Every year, they get a little bit of hype, and then every year, they finish at .500. By this time in the season, Ohio State will have its eyes on Michigan and beyond. A true trap game.

Week 12: at. Michigan – No. 16

The Wolverines are back in Columbus looking to get back in the win column. I'd usually call this ranking fraudulent, but under Kyle Wittingham, they have the potential to be much improved. This could be a very fun and important football game on Thanksgiving weekend.

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