Ohio State: 3 games that will define 2026 season
· Yahoo Sports
After defeating Texas in Week 1 of the 2025 campaign, Ohio State earned the No. 1 ranking and looked unstoppable until running into Indiana in the Big Ten championship.
The Hoosiers knocked off Ohio State 13-10 in the Big Ten Championship Game before eventually going on to win the national championship. The Buckeyes would lose in the CFP quarterfinal round against Miami.
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11 players from the 2025 team would go on to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, including four players going in the first round. Seven of those players were on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will have his hands full replacing seven starters for the upcoming season.
The offense should be in better shape in 2026, with quarterback Julian Sayin set to be a starter for his second season. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith should be the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.
Ohio State will look to make a run the CFP national championship this fall. Here are the top three games that will define the Buckeyes’ season.
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 31: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on prior to a game against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)More News:FIFA Under Fire For Defending Attendance For World Cup Match
Ohio State at Texas (Sept. 12)
The Buckeyes earned a 14-7 win at home against Texas in Week 1 last year. After spending heavily in the transfer portal, the Longhorns will be a much more complete opponent than the team Ohio State beat in 2025.
Ohio State leaned on its defense to wear down Texas last year. Sayin went 13 of 20 passing for 126 yards and one touchdown. In September, Sayin will need to be more than a game manager to keep the Buckeyes from having a loss before the conference schedule begins.
Ohio State at USC (Oct. 31)
A Halloween game for the Buckeyes in Los Angeles could be tricky for head coach Ryan Day. USC head coach Lincoln Riley is under enormous pressure to make the CFP this season. With Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana on the schedule this fall, Riley will likely need to earn a signature win against one of those three teams to make the playoff.
Ohio State will face a motivated and tough Trojans squad in between a contest on the road at Indiana and at home against Oregon.
Oregon at Ohio State (Nov. 7)
Depending on the outcomes of earlier contests against Texas, Indiana and USC, the Buckeyes could have little margin for error entering an early November contest against Oregon. The Ducks have their most loaded roster under head coach Dan Lanning.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore returned to Eugene to compete for a national title and boost his stock for the 2027 NFL Draft (and he might be the No. 1 pick). A win could put the Buckeyes on track to make the Big Ten Championship Game. A loss could put their CFP hopes on the ropes.
For more on the NCAA, head toNewsweek Sports.
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