The Ohio State Buckeyes have what most consider to be the toughest College Football slate during the 2026 season. OSU has headline opponents like the Indiana Hoosiers, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans, which are all expected to be CFP teams this coming December, but the Buckeyes will also have few breaks all year.
Even the game leading into their biggest rivalry will be a landmine, according to CBS Sports' Brad Crawford. Crawford sees the Nebraska Cornhuskers matchup in Lincoln as Ohio State's biggest "trap game," and one of the biggest "trap games" in the sport all year.
Of course, the Buckeyes host TTUN at the "Shoe" in Week 13 to close out a regular season that, unlike the last two years, has just one bye week.
"The Buckeyes have not lost the game preceding Michigan under Ryan Day, but there was a close call at Maryland in 2022 when Ohio State was ranked No. 2 and unbeaten," Crawford wrote. "Day has been nearly untouchable against non-elite opponents during his tenure, so this one drips with nobody-will-see-it-coming measures. The toughest assignment for the Buckeyes is keeping their eyes on the Huskers with Michigan looming at Ohio Stadium.
"Matt Rhule hasn't beaten a ranked opponent with the Huskers and could get as many as five opportunities to do so this fall. Nebraska signed former Virginia and UNLV star Anthony Colandrea in the portal after losing Dylan Raiola to Oregon. Nebraska's only win in 11 tries against Ohio State came in Lincoln during the 2011 season, a 34-27 decision that led to a coaching change a few months later, with Urban Meyer eventually taking over."
Nebraska spent money to improve, but probaby not enough to compete with Ohio State
Big Red did well in the transfer portal, spending eight figures to improve. While it's easy to say that they didn't spend on the caliber of athlete Ohio State did, you'd be right, but also lazily assessing the challenge.
Matt Rhule has upgraded the trenches and brought in a new defensive coordinator, Rob Aurich, who brings with him several years of having an elite defense with the San Diego State Aztecs; most notably, a 2025 unit that allowed 12.3 points and 259.7 yards per game.
If there's a matchup the Huskers are built to win, it's their defense going against Arthur Smith's offense. The chinks in the armor should be smoothed out by then, but styles make fights. This has the makings of a dog-fight, unless Rhule is having a lame-duck season and Nebraska still isn't back.
Beating the Wolverines in front of a Columbus crowd will undoubtedly be on the Buckeyes' minds, but if by Week 12 they're fighting for their playoff lives, Kyle Whittingham and Co. could be put on the back burner. Who knows how powerful the Huskers are about to look.