The Ohio State Buckeyes were, perhaps erroneously, listed as the No. 3 team in College Football for the 2026 season following the completion of spring practice. FOX Sports' Joel Klatt listed the Oregon Ducks and Notre Dame Fighting Irish at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
Fortunately for the pissed-off, 2025/2026 CFP snub Fighting Irish, the Buckeyes aren't on the schedule and won't be able to give them a rehash of Ohio State's 2024/2025 CFP title run, when OSU handily won 34-23 in the national championship game. Unfortunately for the Ducks, the same can't be said in Oregon.
On the Ducks, Klatt said, "Oregon remains in the top spot after I ranked the Ducks No. 1 in my way-too-early poll at the start of the offseason. When you look at the teams that have won the last three national championships, Oregon fits the blueprint those teams followed to a tee."
There's confidence in Oregon finally breaking through this coming winter, though it should be noted that successful offensive coordinator Will Stein is now the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi is now the head coach of the Cal Golden Bears. Those are not insignificant losses.
The Ducks maintained much of their roster, though, while the Buckeyes had significant defensive turnover. Typically, returning production is a good measuring stick for who will win the most games.
Ohio State has an ace in the hole, though.
Ohio State may still have Oregon's number via talent and coaching
While the Buckeyes also lost a coordinator, it was only Brian Hartline, who ceased to make an impact once the regular season ended, anyway. With veteran NFL head coach Arthur Smith in his stead, Ohio State arguably upgraded at play-caller.
The talent advantage still goes to the Buckeyes, even if the Ducks did well to bring back quarterback Dante Moore and land former Minnesota Golden Gophers safety Koi Perich. The coaching advantage definitely goes to Ryan Day, Smith, Matt Patricia, and Co., not to knock Dan Lanning, Drew Mehringer, and Chris Hampton.
Ohio State may still be in the driver's seat in this head-to-head. It's definitely closer between them and the top than anyone else in the Big Ten, though.
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