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Can Ohio State get back to the top of the mountain? After winning the national championship in 2024, it was a disappointing end to the season last year that resulted in back-to-back losses in the Big Ten title game and then the first round of the College Football Playoff.
With numerous key starters returning -- including stars like Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin -- expectations are high once again in Columbus. But what or who needs to take the next step? Is it Sayin? Is it the running game? The defense? None of those, according to ESPN analyst Jake Trotter.
"Can Ohio State's offensive line get back to punishing the opposition?" Trotter asked.
That's the big question for Trotter heading into Ohio State's 2026 season.
"After an undefeated regular season last year, the Buckeyes got beaten up front in postseason losses to Indiana and Miami," Trotter wrote. "Veteran starters Austin Siereveld, Luke Montgomery and Carson Hinzman played key roles during Ohio State's 2024 national championship run, when the Buckeyes dominated the line of scrimmage in convincing victories over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame. Siereveld, Montgomery and Hinzman anchor a line that needs to be much better, especially with Ohio State facing one of the toughest schedules in the country."
After cruising through the regular season with an unblemished record, Ohio State struggled against two incredibly talented defensive lines and pass rushes.
Against Indiana, Ohio State had just 58 rushing yards and averaged 2.2 yards per carry. The Hoosiers torched Ohio State for five sacks and nine tackles for loss, resulting in the lowest point total (10) for the Buckeyes since their loss to Michigan two years ago.
Then against Miami, just one game later, it was more of the same. Ohio State scored just 14 points and averaged 1.9 yards per carry for 45 yards. The Hurricanes had five sacks and seven tackles for loss.
The good thing for Ohio State is it won't have to wait until the final two games of the 2026 season to be tested.
Ohio State has one of the most difficult schedules in college football with games at Texas, at Iowa, Illinois, at Indiana, at USC and Oregon all before the showdown with Michigan.
Ohio State returns four starters from the offensive line this upcoming season and 89 total starts. Headlined by Siereveld, Montgomery and Hinzman once again, the offensive line needs to play up to its potential this season if the Buckeyes want any hope in playing deep into January.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: ESPN identifies the biggest question facing Ohio State in 2026
