5 months ago
DALLAS, Texas -- Ohio State is backmost successful nan College Football Playoff, and this time, nan Buckeyes are looking for a second-straight nationalist title.
With that comes a activity of opportunities, and pressure, for what could go a historical Ohio State team.
So what’s astatine liking for various players and coaches successful this College Football Playoff.
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Ryan Day
Ohio State’s coach tin go conscionable nan 2nd coach successful schoolhouse history to triumph aggregate nationalist titles successful conscionable 3 weeks.
He’d surpass Urban Meyer and Jim Tressel, some programme legends, and way only Woody Hayes pinch full nationalist titles. For personification who felt to beryllium connected nan basking spot conscionable a twelvemonth ago, nan turnaround from Day is simply remarkable.
Not only would Day adhd to his rank successful Ohio State history, he’d adhd to his tally successful a nationalist sense. Currently, nan only progressive coaches to person won a title are Kirby Smart (Georgia) and Dabo Swinney (Clemson). Both of those coaches person won aggregate titles, and Day would subordinate that category.
It’s difficult to overstate nan leap that could return spot successful conscionable a year, but different playoff tally for Ohio State could mean that Day has cemented himself arsenic possibly 2nd to only Hayes successful Buckeye history, but arsenic 1 of nan champion coaches successful this era of assemblage football.
Day could besides go nan first play-calling caput coach to triumph a nationalist title since Jimbo Fisher did truthful astatine Florida State successful 2013.
Jeremiah Smith
The superstar receiver has already established himself arsenic 1 of nan astir talented receivers successful Ohio State history.
A heavy run, 1 that Smith plays good during, could return it to different level.
Smith was a Heisman Trophy contender until precocious successful nan regular season, and pinch a bully playoff tally -- moreover if it doesn’t see a nationalist title -- could participate nan 2026 play pinch morganatic hype to triumph nan award.
A triumph complete Miami successful nan Cotton Bowl quarterfinal would besides beryllium a awesome affectional triumph for Smith, who near location successful South Florida to travel play successful Columbus. He could beryllium proven correct arsenic having made a singular determination pinch a title tally for a second-straight season.
Ohio State’s elder class
The Buckeyes, contempt being a comparatively inexperienced squad entering nan season, person a big of players that person been astir assemblage shot for years.
Just 1 subordinate connected nan starting defense (safety Jaylen McClain) is ineligible to participate nan 2026 NFL Draft. Aside from McClain and chap information Caleb Downs, each different protect starters person been successful nan programme for 3 aliases much seasons.
But this peculiar group of 4th and fifth-year seniors, a group that includes protect ends Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson and a big of different players for illustration halfway Carson Hinzman, haven’t been relied upon for a afloat play for illustration they person this year.
Sure, Hinzman was nan starter successful nan postseason past year. But he entered nan 2025 play arsenic a seasoned leader, alternatively than successful nan 2024 postseason, erstwhile he was a caller replacement.
This elder people tin put their stamp connected nan programme and time off arsenic nan first group of Buckeyes to triumph back-to-back titles.
Mario Cristobal
Hold up, why is Miami’s coach connected here?
Because, for decades now, Miami hasn’t had overmuch to clasp complete Ohio State -- making love backmost to nan 2003 Fiesta Bowl. But pinch a quarterfinal triumph complete nan Buckeyes would springiness him nan overmuch sought-after “proof of concept” triumph that could extremity up keeping premier South Florida talent, for illustration Smith, astatine home.
The Hurricanes haven’t been astatine nan elite level of assemblage shot for much than 2 decades now, and while it appears they’re knocking astatine nan door, a triumph successful nan quarterfinal information would not only nonstop nan Buckeyes location pinch back-to-back losses, it would surely beryllium a antagonistic for Day and his unit to person to navigate connected nan recruiting way successful coming years.
Julian Sayin
Ohio State’s Heisman finalist backmost has already beaten Michigan.
Now, adhd a playoff tally connected apical of that? And he’s putting himself successful nan moving for 1 of nan champion Buckeye quarterbacks successful caller memory.
Even immoderate of nan champion signal-callers successful nan past astir 2 decades of Ohio State shot -- Terrelle Pryor, Braxton Miller, J.T. Barrett, C.J. Stroud and Justin Fields -- ne'er won a title. While astir had occurrence against Michigan, nary could participate nan precocious echelon of “National Champion.”
Troy Smith, 1 of nan champion quarterbacks successful schoolhouse history, wasn’t capable to triumph a title aft he won nan Heisman Trophy successful 2006. So while Sayin still has a measurement to make to lucifer Smith’s individual season, he could extremity pinch a title.
Should Sayin lead nan Buckeyes connected a 2024-esque title run, considering he’ll return to nan squad for 2026, he’s going to put himself successful nan speech to beryllium nan Heisman victor adjacent season, arsenic good arsenic nan No. 1 wide prime successful 2027.
