College Football Coaches Show Strong Confidence in Ohio State Buckeyes With No. 2 Ranking in First Coaches Poll of 2025 Season
The preseason USA Today Coaches Poll for the 2025 college football season has arrived, and with it, a loud and clear message from the coaching fraternity across the nation: they believe in the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ranked No. 2 in the first poll of the season, just behind Texas, the Buckeyes have secured the trust and respect of their peers, a testament to the strength of the program, the depth of the roster, and the enduring legacy of success in Columbus. This placement, while not surprising to many, still speaks volumes about what the coaching community sees in this year’s Ohio State team — not just potential, but readiness.
In a time when college football is more volatile than ever — with NIL reshaping rosters, the transfer portal altering depth charts overnight, and a brand-new 12-team Playoff looming — stability has never been more valuable. That’s exactly what Ohio State represents to the coaches who voted in this poll. Under Ryan Day, the Buckeyes have been remarkably consistent, winning games, developing pros, and contending for conference and national championships year after year. They’ve been through adversity, pressure, and transition, and yet they remain standing near the top of the mountain, once again expected to be one of the last teams standing in January.
Being ranked No. 2 in the first poll is more than just a compliment — it’s a vote of confidence in the direction of the program. It means that coaches around the country believe Ohio State is built to win now. That they’ve recruited at an elite level. That they’ve developed talent well. That their system, their leadership, and their culture are proven commodities. And maybe most importantly, that they can go toe-to-toe with any team in the country, starting with No. 1 Texas in the most anticipated season opener in over a decade.
The 2025 Buckeyes are a blend of veteran grit and youthful explosiveness. While questions still linger about their offense — namely, how quarterback Devin Brown will handle the reins in his first year as the full-time starter — the roster is as balanced and complete as any in the nation. Brown, a former five-star recruit, has waited patiently behind older players, learned the system, and earned the job through consistency, leadership, and performance. Reports out of Columbus suggest he has made significant strides in command, timing, and decision-making — all signs that he’s ready for the spotlight.
But it’s not just Brown that has coaches believing. It’s the supporting cast. Ohio State boasts one of the deepest and most dangerous receiver rooms in the country, even after seeing Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka move on to the NFL. Rising stars like Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, and Jeremiah Smith are primed for breakout campaigns, giving the Buckeyes a trio of athletic, explosive targets who can stretch the field and make plays in space. Combine that with a punishing run game led by veteran backs and anchored by a mature, experienced offensive line, and it’s easy to see why coaches expect Ohio State’s offense to hum even with a new signal-caller.
On defense, the respect is even greater — and for good reason. Ohio State’s defense was one of the best in the nation last year, and almost all of the key pieces return. The front seven is stacked with NFL talent, including J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Tyleik Williams, and linebacker C.J. Hicks. The secondary, long criticized in past seasons, has become a strength, with Denzel Burke returning as a shutdown corner and safeties like Caleb Downs and Lathan Ransom solidifying the back end. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has found his groove, blending aggression and discipline into a unit that’s capable of both stifling opponents and flipping momentum with big plays.
Coaches around the country see this defense and understand how difficult it will be to score against the Buckeyes. In an era where offense often reigns supreme, Ohio State’s ability to win games with defense is a rare asset — and it’s likely a big reason why they earned such a high ranking in the initial Coaches Poll. The belief is that even if the offense takes time to gel, the defense will keep them in every game.
Another factor that likely contributed to Ohio State’s lofty ranking is the strength of the Big Ten. With Michigan undergoing a transition, Penn State still trying to get over the hump, and Oregon and Washington new to the league, Ohio State is viewed as the most stable and explosive team in the conference. That matters to coaches, who understand how difficult it is to maintain excellence amid change. They see a path for the Buckeyes to not just win the Big Ten, but to do so in dominant fashion.
Ryan Day’s leadership has also played a central role in the perception of this team. While he has faced intense scrutiny for his losses to Michigan and lack of a national title, his record speaks for itself. He’s one of the winningest coaches in college football since taking over, and he’s continued to recruit and develop at an elite level. The coaches who voted in this poll aren’t blinded by media narratives — they see a coach who knows how to build a program, adjust to adversity, and prepare his team for big moments.
And make no mistake — big moments are coming fast. The Buckeyes open the season against No. 1 Texas in Arlington, a game that could reshape the national narrative in just four quarters. It’s a high-risk, high-reward situation: win, and Ohio State likely vaults to No. 1 in the next poll and becomes the early Playoff favorite. Lose, and the season becomes a pressure-cooker. But the coaches who voted OSU No. 2 clearly believe they’ll be ready for the challenge.
This early ranking will also have a ripple effect across the season. It shapes perceptions, playoff projections, and even recruiting. Ohio State’s presence at the top sends a message to prospects across the country: this program isn’t slowing down, and if you want to compete at the highest level, you want to be in Columbus. In the world of high-stakes recruiting, optics matter, and being No. 2 in the first Coaches Poll is the kind of signal that resonates.
It also motivates the players. While many inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center will say rankings don’t matter — that only the scoreboard counts — being validated by your peers fuels a certain fire. It confirms what the coaches and players already believe: they’re one of the best teams in the country, and they’ve got the pieces to prove it. It also puts a target on their backs. Every opponent on the schedule now sees Ohio State as a measuring stick. Every week will be a battle.
But that’s nothing new for the Buckeyes. This program has lived under a microscope for decades, and the standard hasn’t changed: national championships. A No. 2 ranking in the preseason is great, but it’s only the beginning. The real work starts now, in fall camp, in film rooms, in weight rooms, in team meetings. This team knows it’s good enough. Now it has to prove it on the field.
The coaches who cast their votes in this poll see something special in Ohio State. They see a balanced roster, elite talent, strong leadership, and a championship mindset. They see a team that can survive the grind of a long season, navigate a brutal conference schedule, and win games in a variety of ways. They see a team that could be the last one standing when the confetti falls in January.
And that belief — from those who know the game best — is not given lightly. It’s earned. Through recruiting. Through development. Through execution. Through years of consistent excellence. The 2025 Buckeyes are not a Cinderella story. They are a powerhouse, built deliberately and methodically, with a plan and a purpose.
As fans gear up for what promises to be one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory, the Coaches Poll provides the first official glimpse at how the sport’s insiders view the contenders. And for Ohio State, that view is clear: they’re not chasing the elite — they are the elite.
Now, with the season fast approaching and the eyes of the college football world focused on their every move, the Buckeyes have one task left: live up to the belief that has already been placed in them. Because if the coaches are right — if this team is as good as they think — then Ohio State might not be No. 2 for long.
