Ohio State football has been placed in unfamiliar territory under Ryan Day, and it could be a good thing
Ohio State could be better off due to the bumps they take in 2026.
The Ohio State Buckeyes return 11 starters from last year’s team, but just three are on defense. Still, expectations will be as high as ever in 2026.
Ohio State returning four of five starters on the offensive line combined with QB Julian Sayin and WR Jeremiah Smith is huge. The Buckeyes will go as far as their experienced offense will take them this coming season.
2026 brings a tough schedule for the Buckeyes and they’ll undoubtedly be battle-tested as a result.
Ohio State’s win total is unfamiliar territory for the Buckeyes
The Buckeyes’ win total for the 2026 season sits at 9.5, according to FanDuel. Bettors would have to decide if they think the Buckeyes would potentially lose two or three regular-season games for the over/under.
Ohio State has never lost more than two games in a season with Ryan Day as the head coach. 11-2 is the worst record the Buckeyes have endured in a season with Day, something many programs would dream of over seven years. The Buckeyes went 12-2 last season, but the two losses came in the most important games at the end of the season against Indiana and Miami.
The Buckeyes’ 2026 schedule has them playing Texas in their second game on the road. Other tough road games will be at Iowa, Indiana, and USC. Ohio State will have home matchups with Oregon and Michigan as well.
Day reruns a quarterback for a second season and it’s something he hasn’t had the benefit of but once before in Columbus. If Ohio State can weather a tough schedule in 2026, they’ll be better off for the College Football Playoff and the damage they can do there.