Ohio State, Ryan Day get good news before 2026 season

The Ohio State Buckeyes are going into the new college football season with the kind of expectation that comes with being ranked No. 1 before playing a single game. That's a lot of responsibility and pressure, but it's the good kind.

After rising to the top of the Coaches Poll, the Buckeyes have now earned the No. 1 spot in the preseason Associated Press Top 25, as well. Ohio State received 40 first-place votes, finishing ahead of Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas, in that order.

The rest of the top 10 includes Indiana at No. 6, Miami at No. 7, Texas A&M at No. 8, Ole Miss at No. 9 and Oklahoma at No. 10.

Ohio State still has a lot to prove, but Ryan Day should be happy

Being the preseason favorite doesn't mean there aren't some questions for head coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. Ohio State has to replace several major defensive contributors, including Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles. That's a lot of production and talent to replace, and Day will have to work with some new faces to keep the defense operating at a championship level.

The offense will look a little different, too. Arthur Smith is taking over as offensive coordinator after Brian Hartline's departure, giving the Buckeyes another change to work through heading into the season.

Still, it's difficult to look at this roster and find many reasons to move Ohio State from the top spot. They seem to belong there.

Julian Sayin returns after leading the team in passing, while Bo Jackson is back after pacing the Buckeyes on the ground. Jeremiah Smith also returns as the team's leading receiver.

The Buckeyes won't be exactly the same team they were a year ago, but Ohio State is a heritage program, and it's nothing they haven't dealt with before. And for now, the AP voters believe Ohio State has enough returning talent and enough new pieces to start the season ahead of everybody else.