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As is the case almost every year, Ohio State once again has the talent to contend for a College Football Playoff national championship. As is the case as well, the Buckeyes -- and all other CFP contenders -- will need some things to go their way in order for that to happen. Teams that have won the national championship not only have the players but also have questions answered and even some breaks that make the difference from simply contending to hoisting the trophy.
ESPN's Bill Connelly identified nine teams as national title contenders and named "what-ifs" for each to seal the deal in Las Vegas. You can read the entire article that includes the Buckeyes in addition to Notre Dame, Texas, Indiana, Oregon, Georgia, Miami (FL), LSU, and Texas Tech, he says need three things to go their way. However, others need more than three things (ahem, Michigan needs five), but you can absorb that all yourself by taking a look at the piece Connelly wrote.
So, what three things are the "what ifs" for Ohio State to bring home another CFP national championship according to ESPN? We'll paraphrase and credit Connelly for all of it. You can get all of his comments on all of the teams by visiting ESPN.com.
Three things Ohio State needs to happen to win the CFP national championship in 2026 according to ESPN
- If ... the portal delivers a pass defense
Connelly points to the losses on defense to the NFL, and it's not just the secondary since the defensive line and linebackers also apply pressure and sometimes drop back in coverage as complementary units. If guys like Earl Little Jr., Terry Moore, Qua Russaw, and James Smith can be productive enough to make those losses sting less, well, that'll help out what should be one whale of an offense.
2. If ... Jeremiah Smith has batterymates
We all know about Smith and his abilities. He's arguably the best player in college football no matter what the national awards say. He's going to go down as the best wide receiver to ever don the scarlet and gray, but he needs help for the offense to reach the top end of its potential. Senior Brandon Innis will lock down one spot, but how productive will he be, and who will be WR3? There are options, and maybe more depth than last year, but it's hard to think the 1/2 punch will be as good as Smith/Tate from last season.
3. If ... new OC Arthur Smith can pick up the pace
The slower pace at which Ohio State played last year was by design and forward thinking by Day -- in the regular season. We kept hearing that the offense could step on the gas pedal if needed, and it was needed in the postseason, but it never happened. If Smith can improve OSU's ability to vary the tempo when needed BEFORE the regular season is over, it'll allow the Buckeyes' offense to be a much harder unit to stop against the elite competition.
It's hard to disagree with any of these things that Connelly points to, and it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: ESPN names 3 things that must go Ohio State's way for national title
