Ohio State Predicted to Hit Major Benchmark in 2026
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The Ohio State Buckeyes have been in the national championship conversation for years under head coach Ryan Day.
After a disappointing loss to Michigan in 2024, many fans questioned the direction of the program under Day, the Buckeyes went on a major run in the College Football Playoff, winning the national championship over Notre Dame.
Ohio State kept the momentum in 2025 until the Big Ten championship when cracks with a young offense became an issue in a loss to Indiana and then a loss in the CFP quarterfinal to Miami.
With quarterback Julian Sayin, running back Bo Jackson, and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith returning this fall, Ohio State is expected to compete for a national title–if they can survive one of the toughest schedules in college football.
Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports is predicting Ohio State to hit a major benchmark this season, believing they can win a Big Ten championship for the first time since the 2020 season.
"Did you know Ohio State hasn't won the Big Ten since 2020?" Fornelli wrote. "Remember, nothing that happened in 2020 counts, so really, Ohio State hasn't won the Big Ten since 2019.
"That's a long drought for a program that's won a national title and had multiple playoff appearances in that time! Well, Ryan Day finally gets over the hump this year!"
Day led the Buckeyes to two straight Big Ten championships, but it's tough sledding for Ohio State in the conference since.
How Ohio State does this season might come down to how a new defense plays under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. The Buckeyes are losing several starters to the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Day brought in several key transfers on defense. The head coach said he's been trying to get new players acclimated to Ohio State football.
“Obviously, there’s been relationships built," Day said. "Doesn’t guarantee anything, but it’s not just random. I think that’s intentional, but there’s no question that these guys haven’t played for the Buckeyes before."
If the defense can be close to what the 2025 defense did, Ohio State could be playing for much more than the Big Ten championship.
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