The Ohio State football team is trying to forget the finish they had in 2025. It was the worst possible finish, as they lost their final two games of the season. Instead of winning back-to-back national titles, the Buckeyes lost their chance at a Big Ten title before losing in the Cotton Bowl.
Heading into 2026, the Ohio State Buckeyes want to erase that feeling and get back into contending for championships. Offensively, they should be even better than they were a year ago, even with Carnell Tate heading to the NFL Draft. Their schedule still poses some problems, though.
Ohio State's schedule is much tougher next season than it was this past season. CBS Sports doesn't believe that the Buckeyes are going to be able to contend next year. In fact, their predictions for the Buckeyes are something that fans hope don't come true.
CBS Sports gives the Buckeyes disrespectful prediction
Cody Nagel of CBS Sports predicts that the Buckeyes will lose three games next season. He believes the schedule will be too hard for them to navigate.
"Ohio State has been a perennial national championship contender for most of the 21st century and expects to be in the title hunt again in 2026. But the Buckeyes face more hurdles than usual with one of the nation's toughest schedules, including five opponents from Marcello's way-too-early top 25. Ohio State hasn't lost more than two games since 2011. If there was ever a year for that streak to end, this is it," Nagel wrote.
The Buckeyes do face Texas in Austin, Indiana in Bloomington, USC, and Michigan. That is a very tough draw for a team that is turning over the defense from a year ago. This defense was historically great for the 2025 season, and Ohio State wasn't able to win a title with it.
With Matt Patricia returning, the defense should be very good next year. Ohio State needs the offense to be more consistent, though.