Ohio State Buckeyes is 1-0 on the season, 1-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +30.4. Ohio State Buckeyes enters the season with a power rating of +30.4, placing them above average relative to the FBS midpoint. The Ohio State Buckeyes head to Texas next in Week 2. In 2025, Ohio State Buckeyes went 12-2 overall, 10-4 against the spread, and 4-10 on totals.
In Week 1 of 2026 the Ohio State Buckeyes Power Rating of +30.4 is 30.4 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Ohio State Buckeyes have logged 0 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 8,854 miles, ranking 44th heaviest in the FBS.
Julian Sayin QB, Jeremiah Smith WR, Brandon Inniss WR, Chris Henry Jr. WR, Bo Jackson RB, Isaiah West RB, Carson Hinzman C, Austin Siereveld OL
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. DE, James Smith DL, Jermaine Matthews Jr. CB, Terry Moore S
Connor Hawkins K, Joe McGuire P
| After | Record | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| Week 2 | 2-0 | 2-0 | 1-1 |
| Week 3 | 3-0 | 2-1 | 1-2 |
| Week 5 | 4-0 | 3-1 | 1-3 |
| Week 6 | 5-0 | 4-1 | 2-3 |
| Week 7 | 6-0 | 5-1 | 2-4 |
| Week 8 | 7-0 | 6-1 | 2-5 |
| Week 10 | 8-0 | 7-1 | 3-5 |
| Week 11 | 9-0 | 7-2 | 3-6 |
| Week 12 | 10-0 | 8-2 | 4-6 |
| Week 13 | 11-0 | 9-2 | 4-7 |
| Week 14 | 12-0 | 10-2 | 4-8 |
| Week 15 | 12-1 | 10-3 | 4-9 |
| Postseason | 12-2 | 10-4 | 4-10 |
A season record is a record, not a forecast. Blue Chip Analytics' own research finds that beating the closing line repeats at close to zero from one season to the next - see most underrated and overrated teams. Read the table as what happened, not as what is likely to happen next.
Opened +32.2 in the preseason and finished +30.4 after week 2, a move of -1.8 points. High +32.6 (week 1), low +30.4 (week 2).
PreW2
SP+ is an independent opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, one of the systems blended into the Blue Chip Analytics power rating rather than a Blue Chip Analytics number itself. Defensive SP+ measures points allowed, so a lower figure is a better defence - the rank beside it already accounts for that.
Source spread is how far apart the independent rating systems are on this team, not a margin of error on our own number. A wide spread means the models disagree, which is itself worth knowing.
The measured and applied home field advantage agree to within 0.9 points here, so smoothing changes little for this venue.
| Opponent | Met | Record | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 2 | 2-0 | 2-0 |
| Illinois | 2 | 2-0 | 1-1 |
| Iowa | 3 | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Maryland | 7 | 7-0 | 4-2-1 |
| Indiana | 10 | 9-1 | 5-5 |
| USC | 1 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Oregon | 3 | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Northwestern | 6 | 6-0 | 2-4 |
| Nebraska | 7 | 7-0 | 4-3 |
| Michigan | 9 | 5-4 | 3-6 |
No meeting on record since 2016: Ball State, Kent State.
Week 08,854 mi total
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | - | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Ball State | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 2 | Texas | 1,067 mi | 2,133 mi |
| Week 3 | Kent State | Home | 2,133 mi |
| Week 4 | Illinois | Home | 2,133 mi |
| Week 5 | Iowa | 461 mi | 3,056 mi |
| Week 6 | Maryland | Home | 3,056 mi |
| Week 7 | Indiana | 195 mi | 3,447 mi |
| Week 8 | - | Bye | |
| Week 9 | USC | 1,980 mi | 7,407 mi |
| Week 10 | Oregon | Home | 7,407 mi |
| Week 11 | Northwestern | Home | 7,407 mi |
| Week 12 | Nebraska | 723 mi | 8,854 mi |
| Week 13 | Michigan | Home | 8,854 mi |
| Week 14 | - | Bye | |
| Week 15 | - | Bye | |
| Week 16 | - | Bye | |
| Postseason | - | Bye | |
Julian Sayin opened the season with a near-perfect performance, completing 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns against Ball State. Jeremiah Smith was unstoppable in the first half, hauling in eight catches for 151 yards and two highlight-reel scores, including a one-handed grab. The offense showed it can operate with tempo and strike deep at will, a promising sign for a unit that returns most of its firepower from last year's 3,610-yard, 32-touchdown campaign.
Matt Patricia's rebuilt defense, which lost three top-seven NFL Draft picks from last year's top-ranked unit, held Ball State to just 165 total yards and three points. The front seven, featuring Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Alabama transfer James Smith, controlled the line of scrimmage, while the secondary, led by new top corner Jermaine Matthews Jr., faced little resistance. The real challenge comes against Texas, but the early returns are encouraging for a unit that must replace Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, and Arvell Reese.
New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's trademark power-running scheme was on full display in the opener. Bo Jackson ripped off a 65-yard touchdown run, and Ja'Kobi Jackson added a 49-yard score, combining for over 100 yards on the ground. With an experienced offensive line anchored by Carson Hinzman and Austin Siereveld, the Buckeyes can control the clock and set up play-action, making an already potent passing attack even more dangerous.
Despite the lopsided win, Ohio State's special teams remain an area of concern. Baylor transfer Connor Hawkins did not attempt a field goal in the opener, so his reliability is still unproven. Joe McGuire averaged just 42.4 yards per punt last season, and the return game, led by Brandon Inniss, has yet to make a significant impact. These units have haunted the Buckeyes in past seasons, and they will need to step up in close games against top-tier opponents.
Ohio State's 56-3 rout of Ball State was a tune-up for a much stiffer challenge: a trip to No. 5 Texas in Week 2. The Longhorns are a 2-point favorite at home, and the prediction market gives Ohio State just a 46% chance to win. The Buckeyes' defense will face its first real test against a high-powered offense, and the offensive line must handle a hostile environment. A win in Austin would validate Ohio State's national title credentials, while a loss would raise questions about their ability to reload after losing so much talent.
Ohio State Buckeyes is 1-0 against the spread in the 2026 season, covering 100% of games.
Ohio State Buckeyes holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +30.4, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
Ohio State Buckeyes's home field advantage rating is 3.0 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
Ohio State Buckeyes's consensus regular-season win total for 2026 is 9.5 wins, priced at -180 over and +140 under. This is the betting market's expectation, not a Blue Chip Analytics projection.
Ohio State Buckeyes travels 8,854 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 44th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
Ohio State Buckeyes: 1-0 overall, 1-0 ATS, power rating +30.4 (2026 records).
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