Week 1 Predictions – 2026
Last Year: Ohio State had a great regular season going 12-0 and headed into the Big Ten Championship game as a favorite. But a loss to Indiana in the B1G Championship and another in their first game of the playoffs to Miami and what was such a fun season came to a quick end. Leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of Buckeye fans, we are all ready for 2026 campaign.
This Week’s Games: xxxx
Buckeye Greats: As in the past, we will continue to include former Buckeye players in our prediction fun, and we are thrilled to have Vaughn Broadnax back with us as a regular participant for the 12th straight year.
Let’s have some fun! Here we go with our Week 1 Picks – Good Luck to All – Gregg
Ball State @ (1)Ohio State (-56 1/2)
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU-FB 1980-83): xxxxx
Andy Steger: We don’t have any stats or game film to go by at this point so a lot of this is simply projection at this point. We’ve heard a lot about the new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is going to run the football in different ways this season. According to players Julian Sayin has been going under center more this preseason which allows the offense to do more with the run game and play action pass. Despite the defense losing some generational talent, I think we will still have a very well coached defense that is able to hold their own against most teams. Ohio State 42 Ball State 6
Rick DeSutter: xxxxx
Cory Steger: xxxxx
Dave Culver: xxxxx
Frank Berkopec: xxxxx
Gregg Watson: xxxxx
Jason Harris: xxxxx
Joe Hylton: xxxxx
John Seibert: xxxxx
Josh Watson: xxxxx
Mike Vandevelde: xxxxx
Steven Smith: xxxxx
Stefan Armintrout: xxxxx
Final Score: Ohio State xx Ball State xx
Clemson @ (11)LSU (-9 1/2)
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU-FB 1980-83): xxxxx
Andy: I actually don’t know who to pick in this game because we will see first year coach Lane Kiffin at LSU have his team play Clemson. I believe Clemson has been on a slow decline as a program the past 4 or 5 years leaving them less talented than they were in the 2010’s when they won 2 championships. Clemson did make what should be a positive hire at offensive coordinator bringing in Chad Morris who previously had success in the same position from 2011-2014. This is the biggest matchup of the week, but I believe LSU has more talent and will be better prepared and coached. LSU wins this one at home. LSU 34 Clemson 17
Cory: xxxxx
Dave: xxxxx
Frank: xxxxx
Gregg: xxxxx
Jason: xxxxx
Joe-S-U: xxxxx
John: xxxxx
Josh: xxxxx
Mike: xxxxx
Steven: xxxxx
Trout: xxxxx
Final Score: LSU xx Clemson xx
Wisconsin @ (4)Notre Dame (-20 1/2)
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU-FB 1980-83): xxxxx
Andy: This is a big game for Wisconsin as they only won 3 games last year. The Badgers had one of the best defensive front sevens in all of college football, but the rest of their team really struggled. The Badgers brought in a dual threat quarterback from Old Dominion named Colton Joseph, the Badgers will need him to make a lot of plays this season, because the rest of their offense lacked playmakers last year. Notre Dame is LOADED this year, they’re a lot of people’s preseason favorite to win the national title this season because of how stacked their roster is in combination with how easy their schedule is. Notre Dame will have one of the best defensive lines, one of the best offensive lines, the best secondary and one of the best quarterbacks in the country in CJ Carr. I don’t see any way Notre Dame doesn’t win this game. Notre Dame 31 Wisconsin 16
Cory: xxxxx
Dave: xxxxx
Frank: xxxxx
Gregg: Luke Fickell REALLY needs to have a signature season this year.
Jason: xxxxx
Joe-S-U: xxxxx
John: xxxxx
Josh: xxxxx
Mike: xxxxx
Steven: xxxxx
Trout: xxxxx
Final Score: Notre Dame xx Wisconsin xx
(24)Louisville @ (9)Ole Miss (-6 1/2)
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU-FB 1980-83): xxxxx
Andy: Ole Miss is a weird team to predict under their new coach Pete Golding who was the Rebels defensive coordinator last year. We have no idea what their offense will look like with the departure of head coach Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss Jr. I think Ole Miss is going to see a regression this season and Louisville has been a team that consistently punches above their weight class. I expect them to win this game. Louisville 34 Ole Miss 28
Cory: xxxxx
Dave: xxxxx
Frank: xxxxx
Gregg: xxxxx
Jason: xxxxx
Joe-S-U: xxxxx
John: xxxxx
Josh: xxxxx
Mike: xxxxx
Steven: xxxxx
Trout: xxxxx
Final Score: Mississippi xx Louisville xx
(19)SMU @ Florida State (+2 1/2)
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU-FB 1980-83): xxxxx
Andy: Florida State did not look overly impressive in their win against New Mexico State this past weekend. I do believe they have more top end talent than SMU, but the lack of rotation towards the end of the game against New Mexico State. I still don’t know what to expect from the Mustangs and head coach Rhett Lashlee this season, but I think they will be able to score points on Florida State. Florida State 31 SMU 27
Cory: xxxxx
Dave: xxxxx
Frank: xxxxx
Gregg: xxxxx
Jason: xxxxx
Joe-S-U: xxxxx
John: xxxxx
Josh: xxxxx
Mike: xxxxx
Steven: xxxxx
Trout: xxxxx