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Ohio State Favored to Claim No. 1 Spot in 2026 Preseason Rankings
The Buckeyes are expected to open the season as the top-ranked team despite heavy defensive personnel losses.
Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:24pm
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According to a new projection, Ohio State is favored to be the No. 1 team in the country when the 2026 preseason college football rankings are released. The Buckeyes, who won the national championship just two seasons ago, are expected to have Heisman finalist Julian Sayin back at quarterback and potential 2027 No. 1 overall pick Jeremiah Smith returning for his junior year. However, the top ranking may not last long, as Ohio State is set to face a tough road test against Texas, which could allow the Longhorns to snatch the No. 1 spot just three weeks into the season.
Why it matters
Ohio State has been one of the most consistent and successful programs in college football history, leading all schools with 72 appearances in the AP preseason top 25 rankings. The Buckeyes' ability to consistently open the season as one of the top-ranked teams in the country is a testament to their sustained excellence and the high expectations surrounding the program. This projection sets the stage for an intriguing early-season matchup between Ohio State and Texas, with the winner potentially claiming the coveted No. 1 ranking.
The details
According to the analysis, Ohio State is favored to be the No. 1 team in the country when the 2026 preseason rankings are released, thanks to the return of Heisman finalist Julian Sayin at quarterback and potential 2027 No. 1 overall pick Jeremiah Smith for his junior season. However, the Buckeyes' hold on the top spot may be short-lived, as they are set to face a tough road test against Texas in Week 3. The Longhorns, led by quarterback Arch Manning and a strong pass rush, are expected to have a chance to snatch the No. 1 ranking from Ohio State just three weeks into the season.
- Ohio State was the top-ranked team in the country for most of the 2024 season, before losing their first game of the year to the eventual national champion Indiana.
- Ohio State is set to face Texas in a Week 3 matchup in 2026.
The players
Julian Sayin
Ohio State's starting quarterback and a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Jeremiah Smith
A potential 2027 No. 1 overall NFL draft pick who is returning to Ohio State for his junior season.
Arch Manning
The starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, who are expected to have a strong pass rush in 2026.
Ryan Day
The head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes.
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This projection sets the stage for an intriguing early-season matchup between Ohio State and Texas, with the winner potentially claiming the coveted No. 1 ranking. Ohio State's ability to consistently open the season as one of the top-ranked teams in the country is a testament to their sustained excellence and the high expectations surrounding the program.
