Ohio State: 2026 Week 3 recap

Ohio State sits atop the rankings with a 1–0 record and a rating of 32.7, though that baseline hasn't budged since Week 1—the Ball State demolition (56–3) set a high bar that subsequent play has merely held steady. The Buckeyes' red-zone efficiency tells a cautionary tale: converting just 14% of trips into touchdowns suggests execution tightens in tight moments, a detail worth monitoring as competition stiffens. GIE projects 9.0 wins for the season and gives them a 98% shot at the playoff, but conference-title odds sit at just 15%, signaling skepticism about the road ahead. This week brings the real test: a trip to Texas, where Ohio State's depth and pedigree face a program equally committed to winning now.