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Ohio State ranked eighth among top college football defenses for 2026

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 17, 2026, 2:10 AM

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

Ohio State ranked eighth among top college football defenses for 2026

Summary

On3 has included Ohio State in its list of the top ten college football defenses for the upcoming 2026 season, ranking them eighth overall. The Buckeyes, under head coach Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, look to build on their previous season's success. Despite losing key players to the NFL draft, the team anticipates strong contributions from linebacker Payton Pierce and defensive lineman Eddrick Houston, among others. The top-ranked defense by On3 is Oregon, followed by Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Georgia, Texas, Miami (FL), and Texas Tech. The rankings serve as an early season gauge, ahead of actual games commencing later in the summer.

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By the Numbers

•Ohio State is ranked eighth in On3's top ten college football defenses for 2026.
•Matt Patricia is in his second year as defensive coordinator.
•Key defensive losses include Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs to the NFL draft.
•Oregon tops the On3 rankings, followed by Oklahoma and Notre Dame.
•The rankings are preliminary as the season has not yet begun.

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