Ohio State enters 2026 atop ESPN FPI with Smith chasing records and brutal schedule

Ohio State heads into the 2026 college football season as the sport's consensus preseason powerhouse, sitting at No. 1 in ESPN's initial Football Power Index — a position that brings both prestige and pressure heading into one of the program's most demanding slates in recent memory ^[4].

The Buckeyes' standing atop the FPI is reinforced by the ratings of their opponents, several of whom also carry significant preseason rankings, setting up a schedule with multiple high-stakes tests that will directly shape Ohio State's College Football Playoff positioning ^[5].

Smith Chasing History

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith enters the season as one of the sport's premier offensive weapons, and he is tracking toward historic receiving numbers in 2026. Smith emerged as the centerpiece of Ohio State's offense during the 2024 campaign and is now positioned to close in on significant program and national receiving records this fall ^[6].

The offense surrounding Smith figures to be complemented by a stronger ground game. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is expected to emphasize the run, and CBS Sports has ranked Ohio State's running back room among the top 10 in the country heading into the season ^[7].

Off the field, the Buckeyes have maintained momentum in recruiting. Ohio State's 2027 class has climbed to No. 7 overall nationally following a string of recent commitments, with the fourth-best per-player ranking in the country ^[2]. The program also continues to rank among the elite in the expanded 18-team Big Ten ^[1].

Whether Ohio State can convert its preseason ranking into a playoff run will depend largely on how the Buckeyes handle the gauntlet ahead. With the schedule and the FPI spotlight both working against any margin for error, 2026 figures to serve as a defining test for the program ^[4][5].