The Ohio State football schedule 2026 (Ohio State Buckeyes football schedule) features 12 regular-season games: 7 home fixtures at Ohio Stadium and 5 road games. The Big Ten Conference officially released the full schedule on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Ohio State holds the No. 1 position in On3’s composite of nine early preseason rankings. The schedule includes matchups against 6 opponents projected to finish inside the national top 25, making it one of the toughest slates in the country.
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2026 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Schedule
The complete 2026 Ohio State football schedule is listed below. All dates, opponents, locations, and venues are confirmed by Ohio State Athletics and the Big Ten Conference. Students can check out the Ohio State Academic Calendar 2026-2027.
Kickoff times and TV network assignments have not yet been released for most games and will be updated as the Big Ten announces them.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Venue | All-Time Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 5, 2026 | Ball State Cardinals | Columbus, OH | Ohio Stadium | First-ever meeting |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | at Texas Longhorns | Austin, TX | DKR–Texas Memorial Stadium | Ohio State leads 3–2 |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Kent State Golden Flashes | Columbus, OH | Ohio Stadium | Ohio State leads 3–0 |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | Illinois Fighting Illini | Columbus, OH | Ohio Stadium | Ohio State leads 69–30–4 |
| Saturday, October 3, 2026 | at Iowa Hawkeyes | Iowa City, IA | Kinnick Stadium | Ohio State leads 48–15–3 |
| Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Maryland Terrapins | Columbus, OH | Ohio Stadium | Ohio State leads 9–0 |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | at Indiana Hoosiers | Bloomington, IN | Memorial Stadium | Ohio State leads 80–13–5 |
| Saturday, October 24, 2026 | BYE WEEK | — | — | — |
| Friday, October 30, 2026 | at USC Trojans | Los Angeles, CA | LA Memorial Coliseum | USC leads 13–10 |
| Saturday, November 7, 2026 | Oregon Ducks | Columbus, OH | Ohio Stadium | Ohio State leads 10–2 |
| Saturday, November 14, 2026 | Northwestern Wildcats | Columbus, OH | Ohio Stadium | Ohio State leads 66–14–1 |
| Saturday, November 21, 2026 | at Nebraska Cornhuskers | Lincoln, NE | Memorial Stadium | Ohio State leads 10–1 |
| Saturday, November 28, 2026 | Michigan Wolverines | Columbus, OH | Ohio Stadium | Michigan leads 62–53–6 |
| Saturday, December 5, 2026 | Big Ten Championship Game | Indianapolis, IN | Lucas Oil Stadium | — |
Ohio State 2026 Home and Away Game Breakdown
Ohio State plays 7 home games and 5 away games during the 2026 regular season. The home schedule at Ohio Stadium (capacity: 102,780) includes the season opener against Ball State, the Big Ten rivalry game against Michigan on November 28, and a marquee matchup against Oregon.
Home Games — Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
| Date | Opponent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 5, 2026 | Ball State | Season opener; first-ever meeting between the programs |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Kent State | Second consecutive home game |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | Illinois | First Illinois visit to Columbus since 2017 |
| Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Maryland | Ohio State holds a perfect 9–0 all-time record against Maryland |
| Saturday, November 7, 2026 | Oregon | Oregon’s first visit to Ohio Stadium as a Big Ten member |
| Saturday, November 14, 2026 | Northwestern | First Northwestern visit to Columbus since 2016 |
| Saturday, November 28, 2026 | Michigan | Annual rivalry game known as “The Game”; played every year since 1897 |
Away Games — 2026 Ohio State Road Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | Texas | DKR–Texas Memorial Stadium | Closes the home-and-home series; Ohio State won 14–7 in 2025 |
| Saturday, October 3, 2026 | Iowa | Kinnick Stadium | First Ohio State trip to Kinnick Stadium since 2017 |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | Indiana | Memorial Stadium | Rematch of the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game |
| Friday, October 30, 2026 | USC | LA Memorial Coliseum | First Ohio State visit to USC since 2008 |
| Saturday, November 21, 2026 | Nebraska | Memorial Stadium | Ohio State leads the all-time series 10–1 |
How Tough Is Ohio State’s 2026 Schedule?
Ohio State’s 2026 schedule ranks among the most difficult in college football. Nine of Ohio State’s 12 regular-season opponents either played in the College Football Playoff or a bowl game during the 2025 season.
Seven of those 12 opponents finished 2025 with 9 or more wins. The combined Big Ten conference record of Ohio State’s 9 conference opponents in 2025 was 51–30.
Per On3’s composite of nine early preseason rankings, Ohio State is projected to face the following ranked teams in 2026:
| Opponent | Projected Preseason Ranking (On3 Composite) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Hoosiers | No. 2 | Away — Bloomington, IN |
| Texas Longhorns | No. 3 | Away — Austin, TX |
| Oregon Ducks | No. 5 | Home — Columbus, OH |
| Michigan Wolverines | No. 14 | Home — Columbus, OH |
| USC Trojans | No. 15 | Away — Los Angeles, CA |
| Iowa Hawkeyes | No. 21 | Away — Iowa City, IA |
Four of these six projected top-25 matchups take place on the road. Ohio State itself is ranked No. 1 in On3’s composite preseason rankings.
National Championship Odds — Ohio State and Key 2026 Opponents
Three of Ohio State’s 2026 opponents hold the same or better national championship odds as the Buckeyes themselves, according to early lines from DraftKings and FanDuel:
| Team | National Championship Odds | Plays Ohio State? |
|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | +675 | No |
| Ohio State | +700 | — |
| Texas | +700 | Yes — September 12 |
| Indiana | +700 | Yes — October 17 |
| Oregon | +925 | Yes — November 7 |
| USC | 35/1 | Yes — October 30 |
| Michigan | 40/1 | Yes — November 28 |
Ohio State vs. Texas 2026
Ohio State plays at Texas on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Darrell K. Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. This game closes the home-and-home series between the two programs. Ohio State leads the all-time series 3–2. Ohio State holds a 1–0 record in games played in Austin. The most recent meeting took place in 2025, with Ohio State winning 14–7.
This is the second game of the 2026 season and the first road test for the Buckeyes. Texas is projected to finish in the national top 3 and holds +700 odds to win the national championship.
Ohio State vs. Texas — Series History
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| All-Time Series | Ohio State leads 3–2 |
| Games Played in Austin | Ohio State leads 1–0 |
| Last Meeting | 2025 — Ohio State won 14–7 |
Ohio State vs. Michigan 2026 — “The Game”
Ohio State hosts Michigan on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The rivalry, known as “The Game,” has been played annually since 1897. Michigan leads the all-time series 62–53–6. Ohio State won the most recent meeting 27–9 on November 29, 2025, ending a 4-game losing streak in the series. ESPN ranked the Ohio State–Michigan rivalry as the greatest in North American sports in 2000.
The Game 2026 — Key Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio |
| Capacity | 102,780 |
| Date | Saturday, November 28, 2026 |
| Series Leader | Michigan leads 62–53–6 |
| Last Result | Ohio State 27, Michigan 9 (November 29, 2025) |
| Michigan Projected Ranking | No. 14 (On3 composite) |
| Expected TV | FOX — Historically broadcast at noon when played in Columbus |
Ohio State vs. Indiana 2026 — Defending National Champion Rematch
Ohio State travels to Memorial Stadium in Bloomington on Saturday, October 17, 2026, to face the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers. Indiana won the 2025 national championship after defeating Alabama 38–3 in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl. Indiana also defeated Ohio State 13–10 in the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game, which was the most recent meeting between these two programs. Ohio State leads the all-time series 80–13–5.
This is the first time Ohio State will travel to Bloomington to face a defending national champion. The game is widely cited as the most significant road test on the 2026 schedule.
Ohio State vs. Oregon 2026
Oregon visits Ohio Stadium on Saturday, November 7, 2026. This is Oregon’s first game at Ohio Stadium as a Big Ten Conference member, having joined the conference in 2024. Ohio State leads the all-time series 10–2. The most recent meeting was a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2025, which Ohio State won 41–21. Oregon is projected to enter 2026 ranked in the national top 5.
Ohio State vs. USC 2026
Ohio State plays at USC on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This is the first time Ohio State has traveled to play USC since 2008. USC leads the all-time series 13–10. Ohio State’s record in Los Angeles is 2–5–1. The last meeting between these programs was a 24–7 Ohio State victory in the 2017 Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
2026 Ohio State Football Schedule — Key Dates at a Glance
September 2026
- Saturday, September 5, 2026 — Ball State (Home) — Season opener at Ohio Stadium
- Saturday, September 12, 2026 — at Texas (Austin) — Home-and-home series finale
- Saturday, September 19, 2026 — Kent State (Home)
October 2026
- Saturday, September 26, 2026 — Illinois (Home) — Big Ten conference play begins
- Saturday, October 3, 2026 — at Iowa (Iowa City) — First Ohio State trip to Kinnick since 2017
- Saturday, October 10, 2026 — Maryland (Home)
- Saturday, October 17, 2026 — at Indiana (Bloomington) — Defending national champion rematch
- Saturday, October 24, 2026 — BYE WEEK — Only open date of the 2026 season
- Friday, October 30, 2026 — at USC (Los Angeles) — First Ohio State visit to USC since 2008
November 2026
- Saturday, November 7, 2026 — Oregon (Home) — Oregon’s first visit to Ohio Stadium as a Big Ten member
- Saturday, November 14, 2026 — Northwestern (Home)
- Saturday, November 21, 2026 — at Nebraska (Lincoln)
- Saturday, November 28, 2026 — Michigan (Home) — “The Game”
December 2026
- Saturday, December 5, 2026 — Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
How to Watch Ohio State Football in 2026
Ohio State 2026 games will air on Big Ten television partners, including FOX, Big Ten Network (BTN), CBS, and NBC. Specific game-by-game TV assignments have not yet been released by the Big Ten Conference.
The assignments are expected to be announced during the summer of 2026. Historically, FOX broadcasts the majority of Ohio State’s marquee matchups, with the Ohio State–Michigan game consistently scheduled for noon on FOX.
Where to Watch Ohio State Football — TV Networks
| Network | Role |
|---|---|
| FOX | Primary Big Ten broadcast partner; carries marquee Ohio State games |
| Big Ten Network (BTN) | Carries select games plus pregame and postgame coverage |
| CBS | Holds Big Ten rights for select Saturday afternoon windows |
| NBC | Holds Big Ten broadcast rights beginning with the 2026 season |
| Peacock | NBC streaming platform; streams select Big Ten games live |
| ESPN / ESPN+ | Carries select college football games |
How to Stream Ohio State 2026 Games
- Peacock — Streams select Big Ten games live, including potential Ohio State matchups.
- FOX Sports app — Streams games broadcast on the FOX television network.
- BTN app — Streams Big Ten Network content and live telecasts.
- ESPN app — Streams games airing on ESPN and ESPN2.
TV assignments will update as the Big Ten releases its broadcast schedule, typically between June and August, before the season starts.
2026 Ohio State Football — Returning Players and Roster Notes
Head coach Ryan Day enters his 8th season leading the Buckeyes in 2026. Ohio State finished the 2025 season with a 12–2 record, going 12–0 in the regular season before losing in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals to Miami (24–14 in the Cotton Bowl).
Key Returning Players for 2026
| Player | Position | 2025 Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Julian Sayin | Quarterback | Returning starter; projected among the nation’s top quarterbacks |
| Jeremiah Smith | Wide Receiver | All-American in 2025; recorded 12 touchdowns with Sayin |
| Bo Jackson | Running Back | True freshman All-American; rushed for 1,090 yards in 2025 |
| Carson Hinzman | Center | Returns on the offensive line |
| Kenyatta Jackson | Defensive End | Breakout 2025 season; returns for 2026 |
Notable Departures — 2025 NFL Draft
Ohio State will replace several key contributors from the 2025 roster. Safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Arvell Reese, and wide receiver Carnell Tate are expected to enter the NFL Draft.
Transfer Portal Additions
Ohio State addressed defensive roster needs through the transfer portal. Key additions include safety Terry Moore (from Duke), safety Earl Little Jr. (from Florida State), cornerback Dominick Kelly (from Georgia), and defensive end Qua Russaw (from Alabama).
Ohio State 2026 — Opponent-by-Opponent Series History
The table below lists Ohio State’s all-time record against each 2026 opponent, sourced from Ohio State Athletics.
| 2026 Opponent | Series Leader | All-Time Record | Last Meeting | Last Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State | — | 0–0 | Never played | — |
| Texas | Ohio State | 3–2 | 2025 | Ohio State 14–7 |
| Kent State | Ohio State | 3–0 | 2014 | Ohio State 66–0 |
| Illinois | Ohio State | 69–30–4 | 2025 | Ohio State 34–16 |
| Iowa | Ohio State | 48–15–3 | 2024 | Ohio State 35–7 |
| Maryland | Ohio State | 9–0 | 2023 | Ohio State 37–17 |
| Indiana | Ohio State | 80–13–5 | 2025 Big Ten Champ | Indiana 13–10 |
| USC | USC | USC leads 13–10 | 2017 Cotton Bowl | Ohio State 24–7 |
| Oregon | Ohio State | 10–2 | 2024–25 CFP QF | Ohio State 41–21 |
| Northwestern | Ohio State | 66–14–1 | 2024 | Ohio State 31–7 |
| Nebraska | Ohio State | 10–1 | 2024 | Ohio State 21–17 |
| Michigan | Michigan | Michigan leads 62–53–6 | 2025 | Ohio State 27–9 |
Ohio State Football Schedule 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ohio State football schedule for 2026?
Ohio State plays 12 regular-season games in 2026. The season starts on Saturday, September 5, against Ball State at Ohio Stadium and ends on Saturday, November 28, against Michigan at Ohio Stadium. The Big Ten Championship Game is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
When does Ohio State play Texas in 2026?
Ohio State plays at Texas on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Darrell K. Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. This game closes the two-game home-and-home series between the programs.
When does Ohio State play Michigan in 2026?
Ohio State hosts Michigan on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. This is the annual rivalry game known as “The Game,” played every year since 1897.
How many home games does Ohio State have in 2026?
Ohio State plays 7 home games at Ohio Stadium in 2026. The home opponents are Ball State, Kent State, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, Northwestern, and Michigan.
Is Ohio State playing Oregon in 2026?
Yes. Oregon visits Ohio Stadium on Saturday, November 7, 2026. This is Oregon’s first game at Ohio Stadium as a Big Ten Conference member.
What channel will Ohio State games be on in 2026?
The Big Ten has not yet released game-by-game TV assignments for the 2026 season. Ohio State games are expected to air on FOX, Big Ten Network, CBS, NBC, and ESPN. Historically, FOX broadcasts the Ohio State–Michigan game at noon. TV assignments are typically announced during the summer of 2026.
How many top-25 opponents does Ohio State play in 2026?
Based on On3’s early preseason composite rankings, Ohio State is projected to face 6 top-25 opponents: Indiana (No. 2), Texas (No. 3), Oregon (No. 5), Michigan (No. 14), USC (No. 15), and Iowa (No. 21).
When will Ohio State release kickoff times for 2026?
The Big Ten Conference typically announces kickoff times and TV assignments during the summer before the season. Game times for the 2026 Ohio State schedule are expected between June and August 2026.
Does Ohio State play Penn State in 2026?
No. Due to the Big Ten scheduling rotation after conference expansion, Ohio State does not play Penn State in 2026. The next Ohio State–Penn State game is scheduled for 2028. This is the first season since 1992 that the two programs have not met.
How to buy Ohio State football tickets for 2026?
Season tickets for 2026 are available through Ohio State Athletics at go.osu.edu/fbtix. Individual game tickets and resale options are available through authorized platforms, including Ticketmaster, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek.
2026 Ohio State Football Schedule — Season Facts and Stats
- Ohio State has won 26 consecutive season openers and 38 of its last 39.
- Ohio State has not lost a home opener since a loss to Penn State in 1978.
- The 2026 season is Ryan Day’s 8th year as head coach at Ohio State.
- Ohio Stadium has a seating capacity of 102,780.
- Ohio State finished 2025 with a 12–2 overall record.
- The 2026 schedule includes 2 College Football Playoff semifinalist opponents from 2025: Indiana and Oregon.
- Ohio State has not played at USC since 2008.
- Ohio State has not played at Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium since 2017.
- The Big Ten Championship Game takes place on December 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The winner earns an automatic berth into the 12-team College Football Playoff.
- This is the first season since 1992 that Ohio State has not played Penn State.
All schedule information sourced from Ohio State Athletics (ohiostatebuckeyes.com) and the Big Ten Conference. TV and kickoff time assignments are pending and will be updated upon official release. National championship odds referenced from DraftKings and FanDuel as of late January 2026. Preseason rankings referenced from On3’s composite of nine early national media rankings.
