The Ohio State football team is hoping to get deeper in the College Football Playoff than it did in 2025. Losing in the Cotton Bowl to Miami was the worst way to end the season, as they ended up losing consecutive games to end the season. After starting 12-0, they didn't win a CFP game.
Heading into next season, the Buckeyes are hoping to fix a lot of the unknowns they had when the season ended. Despite being able to fix some holes, they still have some big unknowns heading into 2026. There are three that Ryan Day needs to be most concerned about.
1. What the offense looks like under Arthur Smith
Hiring Arthur Smith as the offensive coordinator gives the Ohio State Buckeyes a former head coach calling plays. Smith is known for running more of a run-first offense, which is not what Ohio State is known for under Day. Day likes to open it up and throw the ball around.
Smith's best two offensive players are Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith. How he integrates an offense that will give them both the best chance to succeed will be a giant unknown. It could make or break their chances to win a national championship next season.
2. The right guard position
The biggest reason why Ohio State lost to both Indiana and Miami was poor play from the offensive line. Specifically, the right guard spot was a problem. Tegra Tshabola was clearly the worst offensive lineman that they had, and now he is at Kentucky. Ohio State will need a replacement.
It looks like Josh Padilla and Gabe VanSickle will have the first opportunity to battle for the starting spot. Those two guards will have an opportunity to anchor the offensive line, as every other offensive lineman is locked into their respective starting positions.
3. Matt Patricia's future
While it seemed pretty certain that Matt Patricia was going to stay with the Buckeyes next season, that has now been thrown into question in recent days. There is still one NFL defensive coordinator position left open. Even if he doesn't take that job, how will he be able to bring the defense together next year?
Without Caleb Downs and a star-studded defensive line, the Buckeyes might have a worse defense. It will be up to Patricia to scheme up ways to keep the Buckeyes dominant next season, although it might be impossible for them to be as good as they were this past year.