We are deep in the throes of the college football offseason, and that means there’s plenty of previews and updated lists to take a look at. One that we’re checking in on is ESPN’s updated preseason rankings.
When the worldwide leader last published its preseason Top 25 after the transfer portal window closed, Ohio State was listed as the No. 1 team. Now, as we sit here in June, ESPN has kept OSU in that same spot atop all the other college football teams heading into the 2026 season. We, of course, still have the rest of the summer and fall camp to go, but with all the players being sucked in and spit out of the transfer portal, ESPN still believes the Scarlet and Gray are the best team.
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Here’s what Mark Schlabach says about where and why Ohio State landed as the preseason No. 1 at this point in time.
“With quarterback Julian Sayin, tailback Bo Jackson and all-world receiver Jeremiah Smith returning, the Buckeyes should be back in the national championship hunt. OSU’s offense is going to be difficult to stop, especially if its offensive line improves, wrote Schlabach. “Coach Ryan Day hired former NFL head coach/offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to replace offensive coordinator Brian Hartline. That recipe worked on defense, as former NFL defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has turned OSU’s unit into one of the sport’s best. Ohio State will have to navigate one of the most demanding schedules in the FBS, including games at Texas, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and USC.”
While Ohio State remains No. 1 according to ESPN, Oregon (2), Georgia (3), Notre Dame (4), Texas (5), Indiana (6), Miami (FL) (7), Ole Miss (8), Texas A&M (9), and LSU (10) round out the top ten. If you’re counting, that’s the Big Ten with three of the top six, and the SEC with five of the top ten. The rich continue to get richer.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 01: Head coach Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks and head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes shake hands after the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
While Ohio State might have a lot of talent on this squad once again, the schedule is indeed daunting, so we’ll see if head coach Ryan Day can keep the OSU streak of 14 seasons in a row of not losing more than two games going.
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The Buckeyes open the season on Saturday, Sept. 5 vs. Ball State inside the ‘Shoe.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State still ranked highly in ESPN’s updated preseason CFB Top 25
