Ohio State
OSU · Big Ten · power #1 · research DNA, next game, and preview when shipped.
MODEL research — Model is not the published handicap. KEI is the published line; Edge / Tag = KEI vs market.
cfb-season-engine-v0.15-power-sot · N=10000 · as_of 2026-08-31 · used_in_spread=false on research · KEI is the published line
Power
1.579
Rank 1
E[wins]
9.54
Band 8–11 · E#5
DNA
O 1.61 / D 1.54
σ 0.22
QB
Julian Sayin
Incumbent
Futures slice
Natty 16.4% · CFP 100% · Conf title 48.8%
Sim-derived from our paths — not book prices. Full futures desk →
Conference Big Ten
Efficiency sp plus or packaged
Next: W1 vs BALL · Open Project Game
Preview
Ohio State 2026 season preview
Frozen SoT still ranks Ohio State #1 in power (1.617) with the lowest early-season uncertainty among the top five. That is a talent claim, not a win-total claim — the post–Week-0 10,000-path board has the Buckeyes at 9.54 E[wins] (p10–p90 8–11), fifth in expected wins because the Big Ten slate is harder than ACC / Independent paths above them.
Full preview →