Ohio State is the No. 1 team in ESPN’s College Football Power Index.
In ESPN’s initial FPI release this week, Ohio State topped the rankings with a score of 28.7. The Buckeyes ranked ahead of Texas, Notre Dame, Oregon and Georgia in the top five, while Indiana, Miami, Alabama, LSU and Texas Tech rounded out the top 10.
According to ESPN Analytics, Ohio State has a projected record of 10.2-2.4 this season. The Buckeyes have a 9.2% chance to finish undefeated against the nation’s No. 13 strength of schedule — one that includes matchups with six teams ranked inside the top 25 of FPI: Texas (No. 2), Oregon (No. 4), Indiana (No. 6), USC (No. 13), Michigan (No. 15) and Iowa (No. 25). Their games against the Longhorns, Hoosiers, Trojans and Hawkeyes will all come on the road.
ESPN Analytics gives Ohio State a 38.8% chance to win the Big Ten this season. The Buckeyes also have a 75.7% chance to reach the College Football Playoff, a 28.2% chance to make the CFP championship game and a 17.1% chance to win the national title. All three projections are the highest in the country.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly also has Ohio State ranked No. 1 in SP+ entering the 2026 season. Based on returning production, recent history, recruiting and coaching changes, Connelly’s metric gives the Buckeyes an overall score of 31.8, including the nation’s No. 2 offense (40.6), No. 1 defense (8.8) and No. 67 special teams (0.1).
Here’s a look at where each of Ohio State’s opponents rank in FPI and SP+:
Sept. 5 – Ball State: No. 134 FPI / No. 134 SP+
Sept. 12 – at Texas: No. 2 FPI / No. 6 SP+
Sept. 19 – Kent State: No. 135 FPI / No. 128 SP+
Sept. 26 – Illinois: No. 39 FPI / No. 33 SP+
Oct. 3 – at Iowa: No. 25 FPI / No. 22 SP+
Oct. 10 – Maryland: No. 61 FPI / No. 55 SP+
Oct. 17 – at Indiana: No. 6 FPI / No. 5 SP+
Oct. 24 – Bye Week
Oct. 31 – at USC: No. 13 FPI / No. 13 SP+
Nov. 7 – Oregon: No. 4 FPI / No. 2 SP+
Nov. 14 – Northwestern: No. 60 FPI / No. 49 SP+
Nov. 21 – at Nebraska: No. 30 FPI / No. 37 SP+
Nov. 28 – Michigan: No. 15 FPI / No. 14 SP+
