CBS Sports flags a potential “trap game” on Ohio State’s 2026 schedule

CBS Sports has identified what it calls the biggest “trap game” on Ohio State’s 2026 football schedule, a reminder that even when expectations are sky-high, the most consequential moments often come on a week that looks easier on paper. The larger context is that Ohio State is widely viewed as the class of college football entering the new season, which tends to raise both the pressure and the margin for error.

In its preview, CBS Sports linked the “trap game” framing to the matchup it expects could disrupt Ohio State’s rhythm, particularly because of how quickly a national-contender season can be reshaped by one surprise result. The premise is not that Ohio State is unprepared, but that underestimation, emotional fatigue, or an opponent’s style can create conditions where a favored team does not look like a favored team.

The national forecast around Ohio State has added weight to those concerns. According to the report, Ohio State is No. 1 in ESPN’s preseason Football Power Index rankings for 2026, and the Buckeyes also carry a projected 75.7% chance to reach the College Football Playoff. Those figures matter because they compress the timeline for every remaining game, meaning even one slip can create a larger playoff-percentage gap than fans might expect.

The term “trap game” is most relevant in the early portion of an elite program’s schedule, when coaches and players are managing preparation levels for multiple weekly opponents. Even if Ohio State remains the higher-profile team, the opponent labeled as the trap can arrive with motivation sharpened by the opportunity to play the sport’s most attention-grabbing team, often in a setting where execution and game state swings are magnified.

At the same time, it is worth separating preseason projections from reality. ESPN’s FPI and CBS Sports’ preseason scheduling evaluation are designed to estimate outcomes before fall camp and before the first snap of the season. Injuries, roster development, and how the starting lineups settle can all change the competitive balance faster than any preview can measure.

Still, the “trap game” designation provides a clear watch point for Ohio State fans and staff: the Buckeyes will likely be measured by how consistently they perform in the weeks that carry implicit risk. For opponents, the spotlight game can also serve as a recruiting and branding moment, but the on-field challenge remains the same, execute in the moments that decide games between elite programs.