Ohio State enters the 2026 season with the swagger of a program that knows it belongs at the top. After a strong 2025 campaign that fell just short of ultimate glory, the Buckeyes are back in Columbus with one of the most talented rosters in the country. Fall camp is underway, and the questions surrounding this team are less about talent and more about execution.
Expectations in Columbus
Ohio State opens the year ranked No. 1 in the coaches' poll, and fans have every reason to believe another deep playoff run is coming. Head coach Ryan Day has assembled a roster loaded with future NFL talent, headlined by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and quarterback Julian Sayin, both of whom are already drawing Heisman buzz nationally. With expectations this high, it is no surprise that Ohio online sports betting markets have the Buckeyes near the top of the national championship odds board before a single snap of the regular season.
Looking Back at 2025
Last season was a strong one for Ohio State, even if it ended in disappointment. The Buckeyes finished 12-2 overall and a perfect 9-0 in Big Ten play, good enough for fifth in the final AP poll. Ohio State's defense was elite for most of the year, but the season came to a close with a 24-14 loss to Miami (FL) in the Cotton Bowl. It was a talented team that fell just short of the playoff run fans had hoped for, and that near miss is fueling much of the motivation heading into 2026.
Training Camp Storylines and Betting Odds
Fall camp has already produced several storylines worth watching. Running back Isaiah West has emerged as the presumptive starter. At the same time, a crowded backup quarterback race behind Julian Sayin has freshman Luke Fahey pushing five-star recruit Tavien St. Clair for playing time. The offensive line has also drawn praise from Day even without starter Austin Siereveld, who remains sidelined. On the oddsmaking side, Ohio State currently sits at +600 to win the national championship on DraftKings, tied with Notre Dame for the best odds in the country, a sign that those using Ohio sports betting apps view the Buckeyes as legitimate favorites once again.
How Ohio State Handles the Pressure
Ohio State's 2026 season carries the weight of high expectations, but this is a program built to handle that pressure. With a Heisman-caliber quarterback, a superstar receiver, and a defense retooling under a strong coaching staff, the pieces are in place for a special year. The Cotton Bowl loss still lingers, and that memory should serve as fuel rather than a distraction. If the Buckeyes can stay healthy and put it all together, Columbus could be celebrating another championship run by January.
