Ohio State Reloads for 2026 With Brutal Schedule Ahead

Ohio State doesn’t rebuild; they reload. But with a potentially treacherous schedule, particularly on the road, they may have to rethink their definition of a successful season.

It’s plausible that the Buckeyes (12-2 in 2025) could be on the fence Selection Sunday hoping the CFP committee looks favorably upon a three-loss team.

That’s at the extreme end of a slate that includes away games against ranked Texas, Iowa, Indiana and USC and home games against Oregon and Michigan, two more teams in the preseason ESPN Top 25. Throw in a possible Big Ten championship game, likely against a top-10 opponent, and nail-biting could be trending in Columbus come the first weekend in December.

Of course, many prognosticators have the Buckeyes nestled at No. 1 in their preseason polls despite having three defensive players, two of them linebackers, chosen in the top 11 of the 2026 NFL draft. Even breaking in a new offensive coordinator doesn’t sway the opinions of the forecasters.

Whatever happens to the Buckeyes they can’t say they weren’t tested, a common refrain directed toward them last season when Ohio State went undefeated in the regular season, including breaking a four-game losing streak to Michigan.

Then came the postseason that spoiled the hopes of back-to-back national championships. First was the numbing 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten title game followed by the humbling 24-14 setback to Miami in the playoffs.

Ohio State had the 24th toughest schedule last season according to college football guru Phil Steele but in his annual preview magazine he ranks the Buckeyes’ strength of schedule at No. 6 this season. Texas, by the way, is first.

The Buckeyes will have to overcome the exodus to the NFL of wide receiver Carnell Tate, who went fourth to Tennessee, as well as linebacker Arvell Reese (No. 5, New York Giants), linebacker Sonny Styles (No. 7,Washington) and safety Caleb Downs (No. 11, Dallas).

Eleven Buckeyes were drafted but this is Ohio State and there’s always a player in waiting and that should be the case again, similar to the start of the 2025 season when then-first year defensive coordinator Matt Patricia had to replace eight starters and all the Buckeyes did was lead the nation in scoring and total defense.

Now, cornerbacks Devin Sanchez and Jermaine Mathews, defensive tackle Eddrick Houston and defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. are in line for starring roles.

Patricia is back for a second go-around and head coach Ryan Day, as he did with Patricia, went with NFL experience when he named former Atlanta Falcons head coach and Pittsburgh Steelers coordinator Arthur Smith as the OC to replace Brian Hartline, now the head coach at South Florida.

The cupboard is not bare for Smith, beginning with standout receiver Jeremiah Smith in his third and final season in Columbus. Senior slot receiver Brandon Inniss returns and the receiver to watch is five-star freshman Chris Henry, son of the late Chris Henry, who played five seasons in the NFL.

The throwing to the talented group is Julian Sayin. While he was fourth in Heisman Trophy voting as a redshirt freshman last season, he will be remembered for his deer in the headlights moments against the Indiana and Miami pass rushes.

The offensive line which was dominated in those games returns four motivated starters and Arthur Smith will help alleviate the pressure on Sayin by emphasizing the running game with sophomore Bo Jackson leading the way.

The Buckeyes will find out in the second week of the season – after taking care of Ball State – how good they are when they travel to Austin on Sept. 12 as the Longhorns, ranked No. 2 behind Ohio State in the ESPN poll, seek revenge for losses in the 2024 CFP semifinal and last season’s opener, which they feel cost them a playoff berth.

Ohio State follows with a breather against in-state Kent State then hosts an Illinois team that was 9-4 in 2025. Another 9-4 team is on the docket when the Buckeyes travel to Iowa to face the No. 25 Hawkeyes in the always tough Kinnick Stadium.

After hosting Maryland, the Buckeyes go to defending national champion Indiana (No. 6) on Oct. 17 before an open weekend prepares them to travel to No. 13 USC on Oct. 31.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Buckeyes when No. 4 Oregon visits a week later prior to Northwestern coming to Columbus. Then it’s a trip to Nebraska before No. 15 Michigan wraps up the regular season in Ohio Stadium looking to repeat its epic upset of the Buckeyes in 2024.

There certainly are potholes along the way but with a 12-team playoff the Buckeyes have a margin of error although that will be significantly reduced if they can’t beat Texas.