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College insider on Ohio State schedule: 'It's just a perfect storm'
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- College insider on Ohio State schedule: 'It's just a perfect storm'
There's no question that Ohio State football has been the class of the Big Ten in the modern era of college football. Since 2000, the Buckeyes have double-digit wins in 21 years -- excluding the shortened-covid year. Since 2010, it's been even better with 12+ wins in 10 seasons. But the upcoming 2026 season could pose some uphill challenges.
The Buckeyes enter the 2026 season with six opponents on their scheduled ranked inside the top-25 of the ESPN FPI ratings. Headlined by Texas , Oregon and Indiana -- all three rank in the top six. Add Michigan , Iowa and USC and Ohio State will be tested, and tested at every point of its season.
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"I haven't seen a schedule this difficult," The Sporting News' Bill Bender said of Ohio State. " ... I'm not saying Ohio State is going 9-3, but if they were 9-3 with that schedule, much like Texas was last year, I think they would have a very legitimate argument to get into the playoff."
Three losses? Ohio State hasn't had three losses in a season since 2011. The Buckeyes also have had more than one loss in conference play just twice since 2004. But, there' no doubt that the schedule this season raises some serious challenges.
Right off the bat it's at Texas in week two, followed by Illinois and at Iowa back-to-back weeks just two and three weeks later. Not only will Ohio State be tested, it'll be tested early and on the road. What comes after is likely the most difficult three-game stretch in the country, however.
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Games 7-9 include at Indiana, at USC and then at home against Oregon. That makes it four of the five road matchups against top-25 opponents in the FPI.
Overall, here's what ESPN thinks of Ohio State's chances this season :
Chance to go undefeated: 9.2% Chance to win the Big Ten: 38.8% Chance to make the College Football Playoff: 75.5% Chance to make the national championship game: 28.2% Chance to win the national championship game: 17.1%
Despite the difficult schedule, reaching the Big Ten Title game, College Football Playoff and potentially making a run in the postseason are the expectations. Ohio State returns nearly every key playmaker from offense last year and head into year two of one of the most dominant defenses in the nation under Matt Patricia.
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"Well, I think we're going to continue to see an imbalanced schedule," Bender said. "You know, there will be years where Ohio State misses these teams ... it's just a perfect storm on their schedule this year."
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: College insider on Ohio State schedule: 'It's just a perfect storm'
