College football is back! While Week 0 isn't giving us many marquee matchups, it's nice to see an old friend once again. Ohio State doesn't open the 2026 season for another week, but the anticipation is building, and all the experts are making preseason picks for conference champions, who will make the College Football Playoff, and who will be crowned national champions. The Buckeyes are on almost everyone's list as a contender, with many picking the Scarlet and Gray to be kings of college football once again.
But one former Buckeye has some concerns. Joshua Perry, a linebacker on the 2014 championship team and current college football analyst for NBC Sports, feels there may be some issues that aren't being addressed. On Friday, Perry appeared
on "The Jim Rome Show" and was asked about his alma mater. He acknowledged the team has a great deal of talent, but decided to temper expectations.
"They're replacing a ton on defense, the offensive line didn't play very well at the end of the last year, and they have a lot coming back, but I still need to see that to believe it," Perry said. "The running back room is a little bit young. The top two rushers are young guys who missed the spring."
"It might take them a second to get into a groove. Julian Sayin, we saw a couple of pimples out of him when he started facing a more fierce pass rush from Indiana and Miami," Perry continued. "I think he's got some room to grow even though he was a Heisman finalist. And who's catching the ball besides Jeremiah Smith? I get it, best player in America, but there gotta be other guys on that offense that can catch the ball too."
Perry summed things up with a wait-and-see approach. "They're going to be talented, but I see some issues in the preseason that a lot of people aren't addressing right now."
"They're going to be talented, but I see some issues in the preseason that a lot of people aren't addressing right now."
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) August 28, 2026
Former Buckeye @mrjoshuaperry has concerns about Ohio State going into the season. pic.twitter.com/Y2TypSyI1c
Perry brings up some valid points, but all are points that seem to be addressed by coaches. They are replacing a good deal on defense, but that doesn't seem like anything new. The offensive line will be one of the most experienced in the country, and while the unit didn't perform well in the final two games against Indiana and Miami, you have to think it will be more consistent with a year under its belt. Jeremiah Smith is the best player in America, but options at receiver haven't been an issue at Ohio State in recent years. Are the running backs young? Yes, but Bo Jackson more than proved himself as a true freshman, and Isaiah West should be much improved as well.
There are always unknowns in any season, but Ryan Day has another elite squad that should remain in contention for both conference and national championships. Maybe Perry is just trying to give an unbiased opinion, and the concerns are fair, but the Buckeyes should be just fine and yet again one of the top teams in America.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Former Ohio State player sees 'issues' that could derail 2026 season
