Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes receive a lot of love in way-too-early 2026 college football rankings
The Buckeyes are high up on the way-too-early rankings for the 2026 college football season.
The Ohio State Buckeyes’ 2025 season didn’t go as planned and they accomplished just one goal: beating the Michigan Wolverines.
Ohio State was unable to repeat as national champions and ended its season with two straight losses. Losing to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship led to a loss to Miami in the quarterfinal of the College Football Playoff.
Looking ahead to next year, the expectations are going to be high like they always are in Columbus.
On3 ranks Ohio State No. 1 in way-too-early 2026 top-25
It’s very early to be ranking teams for the 2026 season, but it’s already being done. The transfer portal is done for the most part with the big moves out of the way. Ohio State has its roster together for the most part and On3 has ranked them No. 1 in its way-too-early top 25.
Ohio State is followed up by the Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and Indiana Hoosiers to round out the top-5. Notably, the Buckeyes will play on the road in 2026 against both Texas and Indiana.
A total of eight Big Ten teams show up in the early Top-25 with the Oregon Ducks, Michigan Wolverines, Penn State Nittany Lions, Iowa Hawkeyes, Washington Huskies, and USC Trojans joining the Buckeyes and Hoosiers.
There’s no doubt that Ohio State will again be in the mix with the top teams in 2026. Ohio State is returning its entire offense outside of WR Carnell Tate and TE Max Klare. The Buckeyes get back four starters along their offensive line and of course Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith.
Smith’s final season in Columbus will come with high expectations in its own right.
The Buckeyes still have a big decision to make at offensive coordinator. Ohio State will also need to extend DC Matt Patricia at some point — as long as he doesn’t leave for the NFL.
Ohio State beat Michigan in 2025 but fell short of all other goals. An early exit in the College Football Playoff again won’t be acceptable next season.
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