Ohio State’s offensive line will determine the entire 2026 season

The Ohio State Buckeyes offensive line waits for the play call during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Throughout their history, Ohio State has been known for having a stout offensive line, but as last season unfolded, it became clear that the Buckeyes’ offensive line wasn’t as dominant as it had been in recent seasons.

They couldn’t impose their will in the running game as they had on their national championship teams. Big runs weren’t as prevalent last season as they have been in recent seasons.

College football has evolved to the point where throwing the ball and the spread offense are what most teams rely on. But even then, Ohio State’s offensive line struggled in pass protection in the Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoff.

That was a glaring weakness. It raised a red flag coming into this season.

From what I have been reading and conversations I’ve had with people during the offseason, I don’t have much hope that the offensive line will be better this season — at least right now. They’ll be good, but what is their ceiling? That will determine the entire 2026 season.

There are concerns about the reshuffling on the offensive line so far in spring practice, or whether the Buckeyes will even be able to do that. That’s where my antenna goes up. My fear is this offensive line is going to be limited with what they can do in terms of personnel and on the field.

Julian Sayin hasn’t shown, yet, that he’s a quarterback who can extend plays with his legs and make plays outside the pocket. Maybe he’ll add that to his game this season. Sayin is a terrific pocket passer, and that’s great. But as we saw in the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff, the pocket collapsed so many times, and Sayin looked unsure of himself. I’m still concerned about that going into this season.

The Buckeyes’ running game wasn’t as explosive in 2025. It felt like they just couldn’t bust loose a big run in any game, like there was a cap on what they could do in the running game. That’s going to be something to watch throughout spring, summer, and the first month of the season.

In the Big Ten, you have to be stout up front. This is a conference rooted in trench warfare. The Buckeyes know that as well as any team in the Big Ten and all of college football.

Ohio State’s offensive line holds the key to the entire 2026 season and what this team’s ceiling could be. Normally a strength of this team, the offensive line will be under the microscope as we barrel through spring practice and into the fall.