Ohio State football is entering the 2026 season with clear expectations as the team heads into fall camp. Following a strong regular season last year, the program aims to improve on its postseason outcomes after ending the campaign with losses in the Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoff.
ESPN has released its Football Power Index projections for the upcoming schedule, providing a simulated outlook for each game. While Ohio State remains a top-ranked team, the schedule presents significant challenges. The FPI uses a data-based approach that considers past performance, roster turnover, and recruiting metrics to estimate team strength and point margins on a neutral field.
Key matchups dot the 2026 calendar, including a notable trip to face Texas early in the season. Head coach Ryan Day and his staff are now shifting their focus toward specific areas of improvement during camp, including the development of the running back group, which Day identified as a critical factor for success this year. The offense is also reevaluating its pace of play, as the coaching staff looks for ways to gain an edge in close contests.
As the team moves past Big Ten Media Days, the roster preparation takes center stage. The goal for the Buckeyes is to maintain high-level production despite the loss of several starters from last year's squad. Fans continue to monitor these projections as the countdown to the first kickoff continues, looking for signs of progress that could lead to a deeper run in the postseason.