Ohio State Ranked #1 in Big Ten Media Poll As Media Day Kicks Off
Ohio State football is loaded for the 2026 season. Despite a difficult schedule, they are ranked first in most polls, including the just-released Big Ten Conference Media Poll. The team is led offensively by quarterback Julian Sayin and All-American wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. However, there is much more offensive talent on the team.
The defense for the Ohio State Buckeyes is excellent as well. Their defensive line has been ranked first in the nation by Phil Steele, and they have one of the deepest recruiting classes they have ever had on the defensive line. Their linebackers and secondary are both very good, as are their special teams. However, the schedule is tough for the Buckeyes. How many games do you think they will win?
Ohio State Ranked #1 in Big Ten Media Poll
Big Ten Media Days start for the teams tomorrow, and the Ohio State Buckeyes find themselves in a familiar position. They were ranked first overall in the Big Ten Media Poll. The poll was released on Monday, so it is fresh. The conference, again, should be one of the best in the country. There are several outstanding teams.
In terms of the poll itself, the Buckeyes received 15 first-place votes and 540 points overall in the poll. The Oregon Ducks were second with 11 first-place votes and 527 points. In an indicator of how deep the conference is, the reigning National Champions, the Indiana Hoosiers, are projected third in the conference, receiving five first-place votes and 509 points. Indiana gets no respect in pre-season polls, then goes out and over-performs.
This is the tenth time since the poll began in 2011 that Ohio State has been ranked first. USC is ranked fourth. Michigan, plagued by scandal, is ranked fifth. Penn State, and its new coach Matt Campbell, is ranked sixth. Washington is ranked seventh, and Iowa is ranked eighth. Illinois is ranked ninth in the poll. The conference winner will likely come from these nine teams, so there is no need to list more.
Sky High Expectations for Ohio State
Ohio State football has a very difficult schedule in 2026, yet expectations for the team are sky-high. The team is ranked first in several polls, including the Big Ten Media poll released on Monday. Why are the expectations so high?
Expectations are so high because the team, on paper, is highly skilled. It all starts with quarterback Julian Sayin. He was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy last year. Ohio State has a returning 1,000-yard rusher in Bo Jackson, and excellent wide receivers led by Jeremiah Smith. Their offensive line is talented, deep, and very experienced. The team rarely uses its tight ends, but they are good as well.
On the other side of the ball, the Ohio State defense is talented and deep as well. It all starts with the defensive line, which has several players with starting experience coming back as well as a talented recruiting class, some of whom will press for playing time. The Buckeyes play only two linebackers, but have two starters coming back. The question will be in the defensive secondary, where the team must replace Caleb Downs, who was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL draft. However, look for Jaylen McClain to have a big year.
The special teams for Ohio State are good as well. Both their punter and placekicker are coming back. There is no shortage of great athletes to return kicks, though as camp begins next week, Brandon Inness is slated to get the nod.
Conclusion
Ohio State football has been voted first in the Big Ten media poll. The Buckeyes have a difficult schedule, but they have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. It should be interesting to see the team navigate its complex schedule. They may lose two or three games and still get selected for the College Football Playoff.
