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Ohio State has high expectations every year. This year, Ohio State has national championship expectations. They won the national title in 2024 but fell in the Cotton Bowl to Miami in 2025.
The defense was amazing last season, but it will be difficult to repeat as a top defense, which could hinder their national championship chances, according to Bill Connelly of ESPN.
“If the portal delivered a pass defense. Matt Patricia inherited the best defense in the country (per SP+) last season and, if anything, improved it. But the Buckeyes’ defense lost four top-40 NFL draft picks and seven picks in all. With four of his top five linemen and six of his top nine defensive backs gone, coach Ryan Day added two transfer ends, two tackles, two corners and two safeties. At least one of those in each position needs to become a stalwart in the lineup,” Connelly wrote.
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The defense does have Jermaine Mathews Jr. returning, and he broke out in 2025. He had 26 tackles, one sack, a forced fumble, two interceptions, and two pass breakups. Devin Sanchez will need to step up, though. He was primarily a rotational defensive back and is now projected to be a potential starter. Meanwhile, Earl Little Jr. comes in from Florida State. He was solid last year, coming away with two forced fumbles and four interceptions.
At the safety position, Terry Moore comes in from Duke. He finished the 2024 season with a sack, two forced fumbles, four interceptions, and five pass breakups. Still, he missed all of last season with a torn ACL.
Even with all the turnover on defense, Ohio State is expected to be one of the best teams in the nation. They open their 2026 campaign on September 5 against Ball State.
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