Ohio State Claims No. 1 Spot in Preseason Coaches Poll as Tough Schedule Looms

Ohio State begins the 2026 college football season as the consensus top team in the country.

USA TODAY Sports released its preseason Coaches Poll on Tuesday, placing the Buckeyes at No. 1 with 38 of 72 first-place votes and 1,741 points. The ranking reflects both Ohio State’s sustained success under Ryan Day and the high expectations surrounding the program heading into the new year.

Ohio State Ranked No. 1 in Preseason Coaches Poll

The Buckeyes finished ahead of a stacked group of contenders. Oregon claimed the No. 2 spot, followed by Georgia at No. 3, Texas at No. 4, Notre Dame at No. 5, and defending national champion Indiana at No. 6.

Indiana received the second-most first-place votes with 14, underscoring the respect the Hoosiers earned after their championship run. Georgia collected seven first-place votes, Oregon six, Notre Dame five, and Texas two.

The full top 10 features several traditional powers and rising programs:

1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Georgia
4. Texas
5. Notre Dame
6. Indiana
7. Miami (FL)
8. Texas A&M
9. Oklahoma
10. Ole Miss

Ohio State’s Daunting 2026 Schedule Features Six Ranked Opponents

While the No. 1 ranking is a strong endorsement, the poll also highlights the difficulty of Ohio State’s path. Six of the Buckeyes’ opponents appear in the preseason top 25:

• No. 2 Oregon
• No. 4 Texas
• No. 6 Indiana
• No. 14 USC
• No. 16 Michigan
• No. 22 Iowa

Few teams in the country face a more challenging slate of ranked competition.

Key Games on Ohio State’s 2026 Schedule

Ohio State opens at home against Ball State before hitting the road in Week 2 for a highly anticipated rematch with Texas in Austin. The Buckeyes defeated the Longhorns 14-7 in Columbus last season in a defensive battle between the then-No. 1 and No. 2 teams.

After home games against Kent State and Illinois, Ohio State travels to Iowa for its first visit to Kinnick Stadium since a 55-24 loss in 2017. A home date with Maryland follows before a critical road trip to Bloomington on Oct. 17 to face Indiana — the team that beat the Buckeyes 13-10 in last year’s Big Ten Championship Game and went on to win the national title.

Following a bye week, Ohio State heads to Los Angeles for a Halloween matchup with USC, then returns home to host Oregon on Nov. 7. The Buckeyes defeated the Trojans in the 2017 Cotton Bowl and the Ducks in the 2025 Rose Bowl.

The regular season closes with Northwestern at home, a trip to Nebraska, and the 122nd meeting with Michigan in Columbus. Ohio State snapped a four-game losing streak to the Wolverines with a 27-9 win in Ann Arbor last November.

What the No. 1 Ranking Means for the Buckeyes

Being ranked No. 1 in the preseason Coaches Poll brings both prestige and pressure. Ohio State has maintained elite status under Ryan Day, never losing more than two games in a season during his tenure. The 2026 campaign will test that consistency against one of the toughest schedules the program has faced in recent years.

The presence of six ranked opponents means the Buckeyes will have multiple opportunities to prove their ranking is justified. Strong performances in those games could solidify their position as the team to beat, while any early missteps would invite scrutiny in a loaded national landscape.

Full USA TODAY Preseason Coaches Poll Snapshot

Beyond the top 10, notable teams include USC at No. 14, Michigan at No. 16, Penn State at No. 17, and Iowa at No. 22. The poll reflects a competitive national picture with strength spread across the Big Ten, SEC, and other conferences.

Bottom Line

Ohio State opens the 2026 season as the No. 1 team in the Coaches Poll, earning the top spot with strong support from the voting coaches. The ranking comes with a clear challenge: navigate a schedule loaded with ranked opponents while maintaining the standard the program has set.

The Buckeyes will have plenty of chances to prove they belong at the top. How they handle the gauntlet ahead will define their season.