The Ohio State football program wasn't able to capitalize on the 2025 season. After starting 12-0, the Buckeyes faltered down the stretch. It was a disappointing end to the year, although they were able to finally beat TTUN. Still, they were hoping to win back-to-back national championships.
Next season, the Buckeyes are going to be without at least four first-round picks. Losing that much talent, coupled with a very tough 2026 schedule, means Ohio State could regress next season. The road games they have on the schedule are brutal, so it's going to be hard for them to go undefeated in the regular season again.
With the Ohio State Buckeyes possessing such a tough schedule, the worst-case scenario for them next season is worse than what it normally is. In fact, there is a real shot that Ohio State misses the 12-team College Football Playoff for the first time if things go wrong.
The worst-case scenario for the Ohio State football team in 2026 is scary
The Buckeyes have their toughest schedule in years. They face Texas, Indiana, and Iowa on the road. In addition to that, they also play USC, Oregon, and TTUN at home. Ohio State won't lose all of those games, but they could certainly drop some of them.
Usually, the worst-case scenario for Ohio State is for them to lose three games in a season. That hasn't happened in the regular season in the Ryan Day era. Next year, there is a realistic shot that the Buckeyes will lose four of the six games listed above because of the tough schedule.
Losing to Texas, Indiana, Oregon, and either USC or Iowa is reasonable. TTUN seems like a program in distress, so it would be surprising if they could beat Ohio State on the road. Still, losing four games is a possibility that fans need to be ready for.
Is it likely that Ohio State loses that many games? No. But it can surely still happen with the way things are set up against them.