Ohio State tests Smith’s offense against Ball State

01 · The NewsOhio State Opens With Two Tests

When No. 1 Ohio State opens its 2026 season against Ball State on Saturday, Sept. 5, the Buckeyes will debut Arthur Smith’s offense, a second-year Heisman-finalist quarterback and a defense replacing three players drafted in the top 11 of the NFL draft.

The 12:30 p.m. ET kickoff offers a quick first checkpoint for a team ranked No. 1 in both major preseason polls. Ohio State finished 12-2 last season; Ball State went 4-8. The sharper questions concern Smith’s formations and tempo, Julian Sayin’s development and the players Ohio State trusts to replace its defensive stars.

The most consequential offensive competition may be at the third receiver spot, behind Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss. UTSA transfer Devin McCuin has changed the expectations for five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. Ryan Day said some people in the program view McCuin as “as good as anyone they've had at receiver.” Ohio State has not confirmed whether McCuin will start.

Sayin led the nation in accuracy during his first season as a starter, reached New York as a Heisman finalist and was voted a captain for 2026. The Ball State game will put his reported improvement in command and decision-making into competition. Running back Bo Jackson also enters the opener after an offseason emphasis on explosiveness and yards after contact.

Smith is bringing an NFL scheme and mindset to Columbus. Ohio State wants to use multiple formations, selective tempo and mismatches; the opener will show how much of that structure appears with the games counting.

The defense has the harder personnel question. Ohio State’s unit ranked first nationally last season, then lost three players to the top 11 picks of the 2026 NFL draft. The Buckeyes have not identified their replacements. Against Ball State, defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will begin sorting out whom he trusts before Texas.

For Ryan Day, the first visible roster decision may be whether McCuin’s rise changes the plan for Henry.

02 · The StakesThe First Checkpoint

Ohio State will face Texas on Sept. 12 in its next game after Ball State. That gives the Ball State game a narrow job: begin showing whether the new offense and rebuilt defense fit a team still priced as a national-title favorite. Josh Pate’s preseason bracket places Ohio State No. 2 and has the Buckeyes losing to Georgia 31-28 in the championship game.

03 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching