10 Burning Questions For The Ohio State Buckeyes in 2026

Burning questions abound for the Buckeyes, even though they are ranked first in virtually every poll for the 2026 football season. They have some key players who need to improve, and they have some new players, both freshmen and transfers to the program. There are also some questions about the coaching staff, as the team has a new offensive coordinator.

Oddly, the top team in the nation has so many open questions. Do you think the team will be able to address them?

10 Burning Questions for Ohio State in the 2026 Football Season

1. Will Julian Sayin mature?

He is a returning Heisman finalist, but questions abound about the Ohio State quarterback. We know he is accurate, but he must run and show greater leadership.

2. Is Arthur Sith going to be a good offensive coordinator?

He is new, and a lot of people think the former head coach and coordinator in the National Football League will be great. However, we are not sure what the offense will look like under Smith and whether it will emphasize different things than we have seen in the past.

3. Can Matt Parricia reload on defense?

The wonderful defensive coordinator has one of the burning questions. He must again replace eight starters. The Ohio State defense was fine last season, so we think it will be again this season, but it remains to be seen.

4. Who will be the number two wide receiver?

Jeremiah Smith is, without a doubt, the number one wide receiver for the Buckeyes, but who is going to be the number two wide receiver? There is some thought that Brandon Inness, a returning player, will be the number two guy. However, that person could be freshman Chris Henry Jr., or transfer in Devin McCuin.

5. What will the starting offensive line look like?

The team is trying various combinations of offensive lines in the Training Camp early going. Also, one of the key players, Austin Siereveld, got hurt. This position is the biggest question mark on the offense, as the line was manhandled in the last two games of the season. This is one of the most burning questions on the team.

6. How good is Devin Sanchez going to be at Cornerback?

The biggest burning questions for Ohio State are on the defense. Devin Sanchez was a highly touted recruit last year and played as a freshman. The question is, will he be a star in 2026? We shall see. Every team needs a lockdown corner.

7. Who will start next to Kenyatta Jackson Jr.?

We know that Kenyatta Jackson Jr. will start at one defensive end spot. The current leading candidate to start opposite him is Beau Atckison. However, Ohio State tends to rotate its defensive linemen, so maybe who starts is not that important.

9. Which freshmen will see playing time?

Jay Timmons looks good in the early going. Chris Henry Jr. might start at wide receiver. Legend Bey, after being sidetracked by some disciplinary issues, had a very good scrimmage. His skills are undeniable. Brock Boyd and Cincere Johnson will also see playing time.

10. Will the wide receivers be able to get yards after the catch?

Wide receivers are supposed to run with the ball after they catch it. This was a big problem for Ohio State last season. So, one of the burning questions is whether they will do better this year. That remains to be seen, but they definitely have the tools to run wild in the defensive secondary.

Conclusion

It is somewhat strange that a team that is so highly ranked has so many burning questions, but Ohio State does. These questions must be resolved before the Buckeyes take on their difficult schedule. It will be particularly interesting to see which freshmen will play large roles. The team recruits well, so they should be stars right away.