The offseason has had its turn. Now we finally get to watch some football.

Ohio State opens the 2026 season against Ball State on Saturday, September 5, with a chance to give Buckeye fans their first look at how this team comes together. Expectations in Columbus rarely leave much room for a warm-up period, and an opener like this comes with its own measuring stick: how quickly can Ohio State take control, and how sharp does it look doing it? 

Predicting a Buckeye win would hardly qualify as bold. So, to kick off the season, we’re putting three more specific calls on the board.

1. Jeremiah Smith reaches 150 receiving yards and scores twice—before halftime

Let’s start with a prediction that would have us checking the record book before the band takes the field.
We’re calling for Jeremiah Smith to put up a full afternoon’s worth of production in the first two quarters. That means at least 150 receiving yards and two touchdowns before halftime, with one score coming from beyond 40 yards.
The thinking here is simple: we expect Ohio State to establish the connection between Julian Sayin and Smith early. Give Smith room underneath, and we like his chances to turn a routine completion into an explosive play. Challenge him downfield, and we’re betting Sayin gives him an opportunity to win the ball.

The bold part is the clock. Ohio State could spread its touches around or build a lead that limits Smith’s opportunities. This prediction needs the offense to come out aggressive and hit quickly. Our call is that Smith makes his first statement of the season before anyone has settled on their halftime snack.

2. Ohio State rushes for 250 yards, with three different players scoring on the ground

The passing game can provide the highlights, but we’re predicting the running game gives this opener its identity.
With Arthur Smith taking over as offensive coordinator, Saturday offers the first game-day look at his offense in Columbus. Our expectation is that establishing the run will be a clear priority, even if the Buckeyes find early success through the air. 

We’re calling for at least 250 rushing yards and rushing touchdowns from three different Buckeyes. That would require more than one long run inflating the total. We envision Ohio State consistently creating manageable second downs, finishing drives on the ground, and continuing to move the ball as more players enter the rotation.

That last part is what makes this prediction interesting. A comfortable lead should create opportunities, but those opportunities still have to become production. We’re betting the second-half offense sustains the running game well enough that the final quarter gives fans another reason to keep watching.

3. The defense forces three turnovers and keeps Ball State out of the end zone.

A season opener always leaves room for a missed assignment, an awkward bounce, or a late touchdown that takes a little shine off the final score. We’re predicting Ohio State avoids that last part while creating some scoring opportunities of its own.

The call: at least three takeaways, with Ball State finishing the afternoon without a touchdown.

For Matt Patricia’s defense, that would be an encouraging opening performance. We’re looking for pressure that forces hurried decisions, defenders who finish their chances when the ball is available, and sound tackling that makes Ball State earn its yardage. Patricia returns as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator in 2026. 

The biggest challenge might arrive after the game is comfortably in hand. Keeping an opponent out of the end zone takes four quarters of attention, including from players getting their first meaningful opportunities. We’re betting the defensive standard holds through those substitutions.

Field goals? We can live with a couple. A trip to the end zone? The prediction says the door stays closed.

Which prediction are you buying—and which one is a little too bold? Give us your best call for the opener. Go Bucks!