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· collected 2026-08-18 · by Joe Reedy The Associated Press
Ohio State, ranked No. 1, returns a dynamic offense led by quarterback Julian Sayin, who is among the Heisman Trophy favorites after completing 77% of his passes and throwing 32 touchdowns last season. The Buckeyes face a challenging schedule that includes road games against top-ranked opponents, but their offense remains their strength. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has only three returning starters for the second straight year, including defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr., who led the unit with 11 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks last season. Ohio State's defense is expected to be a major area of concern this season.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Ohio State University's football team is ranked as the number one team going into the 2025 season. The team has high expectations after being derailed from making it to the College Football Playoff (CFP) last year by Miami in a quarterfinal game. They return some of the top players in the nation, including quarterback Julian Sayin, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, and running back Bo Jackson. These players will lead one of the most dynamic offenses in the country, with Sayin having completed 77% of his passes last season and thrown 32 touchdowns. However, the team's defense is a concern, as they face a tough schedule this year that includes road games against top-ranked teams like Texas, Indiana, and Southern California.
Written for “Ohio State Football Season” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 997 · logged 2026-08-25
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — 2025 record: 12-2
Expectations
The Buckeyes are the preseason No. 1 for the first time since 2015 after their quest for a second straight national title was derailed by Miami in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
asserted
quest → derail → quarterfinal
They return one of the more dynamic offenses in the nation with quarterback Julian Sayin, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and running back Bo Jackson.
asserted
They → return → Sayin
If Ohio State does make it back to the CFP for the third straight year, it will be after navigating a challening schedule that includes road games against No. 5 Texas, No. 6 Indiana, No. 16 Southern California and No. 22 Iowa.
asserted
that → make → Texas
November includes home games against second-ranked Oregon and No. 14 Michigan.
asserted
November → include → Oregon
With a tougher schedule and three players picked in the top 11 of the NFL draft, it would be crazy to expect the defense to repeat last year’s accomplishment of holding all but two of its regular season opponents under 11 points.
asserted
defense → pick → points
Offense remains the strength
Sayin is among the Heisman Trophy favorites after being finalist in 2025 after completing 77% of his passes and 32 touchdowns.
asserted
Sayin → remain → passes
Sayin also showed great touch with the deep ball, which should be expected again with a deep receiving corps that includes Smith, Brandon Inniss and freshman Chris Henry Jr.
The running game was inconsistent at times last season but Jackson had six 100-yard games, including 117 at Michigan.
asserted
Jackson → show → Michigan
With Arthur Smith taking over as offensive coordinator, expect a more sound ground game, which has been one of Smith’s strengths as a coordinator and head coach in the NFL.
asserted
which → take → NFL
Weaknesses include rebuilding defense again
asserted
Weaknesses → include → defense
For the second straight year, defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has only three returning starters.
asserted
Patricia → have → starters
However, Patricia showed in his first season at Ohio State that he can mold a scheme around the talent he has.
asserted
he → show → talent
Defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. — who had 11 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks last season — is expected to lead the unit while junior safety Jaylen McClain brings experience to the secondary.
asserted
McClain → have → secondary
The linebacker group has depth but some inexperience.
asserted
group → have → depth
Coach Ryan Day thought he rectified his kicking problems when Connor Hawkins arrived via the transfer portal, but he has struggled during fall drills.
asserted
he → think → drills
Buckeyes’ fans are still upset about Jayden Fielding missing a chip shot during the fourth quarter of the Big Ten title game against Indiana.
asserted
Fielding → miss → Indiana
