The Silver Bulletin’s staff gives their 2026 season predictions for Ohio State ahead of its Week 1 matchup against Ball State.

Sometimes overthinking makes its way into football. But for Ohio State in 2026, all Julian Sayin has to do is “Get the Ball to 4,” right? Having Jeremiah Smith is the ultimate weapon in college football this season, serving as a trump card for the Buckeyes at all times.

However, there’s more to this team than Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith. In fact, Jeremiah may not even be the most impactful “Smith” on the team. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith brings a schematic shift to the Buckeyes, which is generating a ton of buzz.

Defensively, Ohio State replaces eight starters with veteran transfers and a young true freshman standout, Jay Timmons. The Buckeyes open the season on Saturday against the Ball State Cardinals. Earlier this week, we made depth chart predictions, which are linked below ahead of our season picks.

Depth Chart Predictions:

Offense

Defense

Here are our staff predictions for the 2026 Ohio State football team:

David:

Record: 10:2

Ohio State has one of the toughest schedules in recent memory, and frankly, it would be a miracle if they could survive the season unscathed.

I anticipate them dropping two games simply due to the amount of top teams they will play during the regular season. I could see it being a number of games, but I will go with the numbers and pick the Buckeyes to lose their two toughest road tests, at Texas and at Indiana, while sweeping their home slate.

There is a world where the Buckeyes can go 12-0 or 11-1 because of the talent on their roster and the addition of Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator, but the defensive personnel retool makes me think they will have some growing pains throughout the season.

Blake Biscardi:

Record: 11-1

I have gone back and forth between 10-2 and 11-1 for Ohio State since the Spring. In fact, I predicted the Buckeyes to finish 10-2 in both episodes of Buckeye Cadence, one during the Spring and the other prior to Fall Camp. After being in the building, I changed my mind because of the impact I believe Arthur Smith will have on the offense.

It will be noticed schematically the most, ensuring Ohio State isn’t nearly as predictable as a year ago. Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith will operate an offense with a veteran offensive line that comes up big throughout the season. The game prediction I switched is Texas. I am picking Ohio State to go to Austin and come back victorious, defeating Steve Sarkisian for the third straight year.

Ohio State finishes the regular season 11-1 with a loss to Oregon that is later avenged in the Big Ten Championship Game. At 12-1, the Buckeyes enter the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 overall seed, jumping undefeated Notre Dame (2). A few weeks later, those two programs meet for the National Title in Las Vegas in one of the season’s memorable clashes. Ryan Day will win his second National Championship in three years.

Grant Kincaid:

Record: 11-1

Looking down the barrel of possibly the toughest schedule in program history, this team has the chance to atone for a disappointing end to the 2025 campaign. Early on in the year, with a new-look defense still finding its true identity and Texas desperate for a marquee win, I think the Buckeyes slip up in Austin.

After this, the Buckeyes enter a more ‘manageable’ four-game stretch of the season, in which I see the team building momentum for the challenging back half of the schedule. After a potential shootout in the Colosseum and a marquee win against the Ducks, I anticipate OSU taking care of business against TTUN en route home to a Big Ten Championship game.

Watch TSB LIVE for expounded thoughts on Ohio State’s 2026 season.

Dan Smyth:

Record: 10-2

Ohio State will go 10-2 in the regular season. They will lose an early-season game in Austin to Texas. The Buckeyes will begin to find their stride in October, taking down Iowa, Indiana, and USC. They will suffer another loss to Oregon in early November. However, the Buckeyes finish strong at 10-2 and make it into the playoffs with a respectable seed.

The program faces challenges as it heads into 2026. Despite the challenges, the outlook for the Buckeyes remains optimistic. If anyone can navigate the brutal gauntlet of Ohio State’s schedule, it’s Ryan Day.

The offensive line should be one of the best units in the country despite back-to-back poor performances at the end of the 2025 season. The defense is arguably deeper than the 2025 defense. Meanwhile, the trio of Sayin, Smith, and Jackson should provide plenty of firepower for the Buckeye offense. Expect this team to make the playoffs and be primed for a long playoff run. Even if that means a few losses in the regular season.

Josh Cassinger:

Record: 11-1

Ohio State goes 11-1 with a loss to Oregon in the regular season. The Buckeyes are sitting at the top of the polls to start the season, and it will be that way until the loss to Oregon. The Buckeyes have tough road games against Texas, Iowa, Indiana, and USC but will prevail in all of them. I think Julian Sayin will outduel Dante Moore in the Big Ten Championship.

A few Buckeye players will walk away with individual awards. Payton Pierce will win Big Ten Linebacker of the Year. Jeremiah Smith/Julian Sayin will win co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Smith will win the Biletnikoff Award. Sayin will win the Maxwell, O’Brien, and Heisman Trophy.

Overall, I think the Offensive will be more explosive, and the defense will get it done in the big moments. The Buckeyes will get the No. 1 seed and will explode their way to the National Championship!

For full season national predictions, watch the latest episode of Saturday Cadence:

NEXT: Read Carson Hinzman Discusses “Hypothetical” Starting Offensive Line for Buckeyes