Expectations are high for the Buckeyes in 2026.
Ohio State was ranked atop the USA Today Coaches Poll on Tuesday for the first time since 2015.
Despite losing many of its star players from a historically great defense last year, the Buckeyes were ranked No. 1 after receiving 38 first-place votes.
Also receiving first-place votes were No. 2 Oregon (six first-place votes), No. 3 Georgia (seven votes), No. 4 Texas (two votes), No. 5 Notre Dame (five votes) and No. 6 Indiana (14 votes).
It doesn’t come as a huge surprise that Ohio State ranks atop the poll. Although the Buckeyes had a disappointing postseason, suffering consecutive losses to Indiana and Miami (Fla.), they were perhaps the most dominant team in the regular season, winning each of their last 11 games by at least 18 points.
The Buckeyes return eight of their 11 starters on offense, including star quarterback Julian Sayin and star receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Ohio State also made additions from the transfer portal to supplement losses on defense. The Buckeyes added former Florida State Safety Earl Little Jr., former Duke safety Terry Moore and former Alabama defensive linemen Qua Russaw and James Smith.
Rounding out the top 10 in the poll was No. 7 Miami, No. 8 Texas A&M, No. 9 Oklahoma and No. 10 Ole Miss.
The SEC had nine teams included in the top 25, which was the most of any conference, but the Big Ten was right behind with eight teams.
No. 14 USC, No. 16 Michigan, No. 17 Penn State, No. 19 Washington and No. 22 Iowa were the other Big Ten teams to be included in the rankings.
The Buckeyes will play six teams in the regular season that were included in the preseason rankings.
