Last season for Ohio State looked like an opportunity to repeat as national champions. However, once they were tested by Indiana and Miami, their flaws were revealed.

2026 presents a chance to bounce back and win another national championship if these three things come to fruition.

A second weapon must emerge alongside Jeremiah Smith

Everyone knows Jeremiah Smith is the most talented player in college football. That’s not a secret, and neither is the fact that the team plays its best when opposing defenses can’t devote all their attention to stopping him. With Carnell Tate gone, Ohio State needs someone to step up and become the next dynamic sidekick for Smith.

The candidates are there. Chris Henry Jr., Brock Boyd, Devin McCuinn, and Brandon Inniss all have the opportunity to seize that role. If one of them emerges as a legitimate threat, it opens up the entire offense and makes Smith even more dangerous. Without that complementary piece, I find it hard to believe Ohio State can win it all. Defenses will continue to bracket Smith and force Julian Sayin to find alternative options under pressure.

Arthur Smith must commit to the run game

This might be the most important offensive adjustment Ohio State can make. Last year, under Brian Hartline, the Buckeyes abandoned the run game in critical moments, and it cost them in losses to Indiana and Miami. Bo Jackson has the potential to be the best running back in the country. But he needs to be given a bigger workload.

With Hartline gone and Arthur Smith now calling plays, there’s reason for optimism. Smith has a well-documented history of leaning into the ground game throughout his coaching career. If he brings that same philosophy to Columbus, Ohio State’s offense should be significantly more balanced.

The ripple effect matters here, too. A stronger run game takes pressure off Sayin, who struggled when opposing defenses sent pressure after him. When teams couldn’t respect the run, Sayin was forced into uncomfortable situations. A commitment to balance fixes that.

Matt Patricia needs to unleash the 2025 recruiting class

Ohio State lost significant defensive talent to the NFL this offseason, with Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, and Kayden McDonald all getting drafted. The Buckeyes’ ability to reload rather than rebuild will determine whether their defense remains among the best in the country.

The 2025 recruiting class has the names to make it happen. Zion Grady, Riley Pettijohn, T.J. Alford, and Devin Sanchez all have the talent to become the next great Ohio State defender. If Matt Patricia can develop even one of these players into a dominant force at their position, the defense should continue to operate as a top unit in college football.

Winning another national championship in 2026 is absolutely accomplishable. But they’ll need to address these issues to make it happen.