The Ohio State Buckeyes have a legendarily difficult slate ahead of the 2026 College Football season, one that, juxtaposed with not looking to cancel future matchups with the past three SEC Champions, the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide, in the coming years, has the program in the highest of graces.
You don't hear many predicting doom in Columbus this fall, though. Bucknuts' Patrick Murphy believes the Buckeyes have the capability to contend with the likes of the Illinois Fighting Illini, Oregon Ducks, TTUN, Texas Longhorns, Indiana Hoosiers, and USC Trojans because of Matt Patricia and Arthur Smith's presence as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively.
"It will not come easily, as the Scarlet and Gray face one of their toughest schedules in recent memory, welcoming Illinois, Oregon, and Michigan to Ohio Stadium and traveling to Texas, Indiana, and USC," Murphy wrote.
"Having two coordinators who have coached at the highest level and understand what it takes to succeed throughout a season and into the postseason will only increase the chances that the Buckeyes reach their goals."
Ohio State is first team to have 2 ex-NFL head coaches as coordinators
The Buckeyes made history this offseason with the Smith hire. Per Murphy, "This seems to be the first time in college football history that two former NFL head coaches have served as coordinators on the same staff, each on different sides of the ball."
Ohio State just raised the bar in College Football. Ryan Day has the ultimate flex on any head coach, not that he's the flexing type. Now, with teams boasting multiple multi-million dollar coordinators, the money may be funneled into former NFL coaches, since every NIL/rev-share-related effort from the federal government is moving towards curbing player earnings.
With the promise of an NFL future being greater in Columbus than anywhere else, the recruits will probably still choose the Buckeyes for the same reasons players used to in the 2010s and prior, when money wasn't openly being spent on recruiting.
Who knows? The midterm elections this November could move the power back towards the players, much like the 2028 presidential election.
Whatever happens, there's a historic system in place on Day's coaching staff.