​As preseason camp kicks off this week, Land-Grant Holy Land is diving into its final weekly theme of the off-season. This installment centers on making predictions that may seem bold or even audacious, and you can catch up on all Theme Week content here, plus all of our Bold Predictions articles here. Looking ahead to 2026, I’m bullish on two main developments for the Buckeyes. First, I believe Ohio State will become more proficient at running the football. They have to, with Arthur Smith at the helm. Smith brings a strong background in developing elite running backs from his days as an offensive coordinator, and that expertise should help the Buckeyes re-establish a dangerous ground game.
The second bullish claim is more audacious: Bo Jackson is poised to have a meteoric breakout. In this Bold Predictions edition, I’m projecting Jackson to lead the Big Ten in rushing yards. Last year, Jackson finished fifth in the conference with 1,090 rushing yards. The league’s top rusher, Emmett Johnson of Nebraska, tallied 1,451 yards before heading to the NFL, and the next two top rushers from the previous season—who ranked second and fourth—also moved on to NFL opportunities. The two players behind Jackson, Kaelon Black and King Miller, likewise transitioned to the professional level.
It’s also worth noting that Jackson wasn’t even the Buckeyes’ starting back at the season’s outset, and he didn’t play against Texas. Yet he delivered six games with 100 or more rushing yards as the year progressed. That kind of productivity suggests what he’s capable of this season, and the expectation is higher now that he’s entering as the clear RB1 and a Week 1 starter for Ohio State.
Last year, Ohio State’s offense leaned heavily on the passing game, with Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate forming what many considered the finest wide receiver duo in college football. Nevertheless, the Buckeyes don’t enter this season with an obvious WR2 in place. As they acclimate new receivers to the system, establishing a strong rushing attack will be essential to open up the passing game and diversify the offense. Jackson’s emergence could be the catalyst that unlocks that balance.
In the past, Arthur Smith’s offenses have prioritized the run, whether in Tennessee or Atlanta during his stints as offensive coordinator and head coach. When you combine that philosophy with the current turnover at the league’s leading rushers—many of whom have moved on to the NFL—the case for Jackson contending for the Big Ten rushing title in 2026 becomes compelling. He fell short of the top spot by less than 400 yards last season, even after missing the first game, which underscores the potential for a substantial leap forward this year.
Even in a program long associated with WRU and a storied history of legendary running backs, Jackson could plausibly be next in line. If he builds on last year’s continuity and transitions smoothly into the full-time role, he could emerge as the Big Ten’s leading rusher in 2026. This is a bold projection, but the combination of a revamped running game, Smith’s proven track record with backs, and the opportunity to maximize Ohio State’s offensive ceiling all align to support Jackson’s ascent to the top of the conference charts.