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Despite coming up short in an attempt at a national championship repeat in 2025, Ohio State is squarely in the title picture once again. The Buckeyes have a slew of key pieces back in the fold, and ESPN’s Bill Connelly said there are three keys to staying a national championship contender.
Ohio State also made a splash at offensive coordinator this offseason, bringing Arthur Smith from the NFL. He will take over a unit with multiple star players returning – headlined by Julian Sayin, Bo Jackson and Jeremiah Smith.
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With the returning production on offense, though, the defense will take on a new look with pieces coming in from the transfer portal. That’s also one of ESPN’s three keys for Ohio State to become a national title contender in 2026.
‘If … the portal delivered a pass defense’
Last season, as Matt Patricia took over as defensive coordinator, Ohio State had the best pass defense in the country as the Buckeyes held teams to 129.7 passing yards per game. But they lost multiple contributors to the NFL Draft, which is why one of Bill Connelly’s questions is how well the portal additions will adjust.
Of Ohio State’s 17 transfer additions this past cycle, nine of them were on the defensive side of the ball, led by former Florida State safety Earl Little Jr. – the No. 57 overall player in the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings. The Buckeyes also notably have Kenyatta Jackson back after he tied for second on the team in sacks last year.
‘If … Jeremiah Smith has batterymates’
Since arriving at Ohio State as a top-rated recruit, Jeremiah Smith has lived up to the billing. But has he goes into his junior season, Bill Connelly wants to see if more complementary pieces can step up after Carnell Tate headed to the NFL as a top-five pick in the draft.
Brandon Inniss is notably back after ranking fourth on the Ohio State roster in receiving yards, and freshman Chris Henry Jr. showcased his potential during the Buckeyes’ spring game. Smith is clearly he alpha in the wide receiver room, but it will be worth watching who takes that No. 2 spot – and potentially No. 3.
‘If … new OC Arthur Smith can pick up the pace’
Of course, even with playmakers returning and new faces arriving, Arthur Smith’s system will be a big storyline in Columbus. He spent the last two seasons as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator following a three-year run as the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach, but will now transition to the college game.
Smith also inherits an offense that played at a slow tempo and had the third-fewest drives per game, according to ESPN. As a result, Bill Connelly said one of the keys for Ohio State will be to play faster, especially in late-game situations.
As the offseason winds to a close and training camp approaches, Ohio State will look to again be at the forefront of the conversation in both the Big Ten and on the national scale. With some new looks, the Buckeyes also have a chance to remain squarely in the championship picture.
