Ohio State’s 2026 Football Schedule: Key Matchups and Highlights
The excitement is definitely in the air—the Big Ten Conference just dropped the 2026 football schedule for the Ohio State Buckeyes. With a lineup that’s loaded with high-stakes matchups, old-school rivalries, and some fresh faces, fans are already buzzing about what could be a defining year.
Let’s take a look at the schedule’s highlights, why certain games matter, and what fans might expect from this new season. There’s a lot to unpack here, honestly.
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2026 Ohio State Football Schedule: An Overview
Ohio State’s 2026 football schedule is a wild mix of non-conference and Big Ten games that’ll put the Buckeyes to the test. There are seven home games and five on the road.
The season opens at Ohio Stadium against Ball State on September 5. And if that wasn’t enough, the Buckeyes will also go toe-to-toe with Michigan, Oregon, and Texas—making this one of the tougher slates they’ve faced in a while.
Non-Conference Games
The Buckeyes kick things off at home versus Ball State on September 5. It’s the first time these two teams have ever played, so there’s an air of unpredictability to start things off.
Then, on September 12, Ohio State heads down to Austin to face the Texas Longhorns. It’s a continuation of their home-and-home series that started in 2025, when the Buckeyes squeaked out a 14-7 win.
On September 19, Kent State rolls into Ohio Stadium. Ohio State has dominated this matchup before, leading the series 3-0.
Their last meeting? That was back in 2014, when the Buckeyes ran away with a 66-0 victory. Hard to forget a score like that.
Big Ten Home Games
The home schedule in Big Ten play is stacked. Illinois visits on September 26, making their first trip to the Horseshoe since 2017.
Historically, Ohio State’s had the upper hand against Illinois, leading the series 69-30-4. No shortage of history there.
Maryland comes to town on October 10. The Buckeyes have never lost to them—Ohio State leads the series 9-0.
Their last face-off was in 2023, and the Buckeyes took that one 37-17. Maryland’s still looking for their first win in this matchup.
Oregon is set to visit on November 7, and that’s a big deal. It’ll be Oregon’s first time at Ohio Stadium as a Big Ten member.
Ohio State leads the all-time series with Oregon 10-2. Should be a good one.
Northwestern comes in on November 14. The Buckeyes have a solid record here, leading 66-14-1.
The last time they played was in 2024 at Wrigley Field, where Ohio State won 31-7. Not exactly a nail-biter.
The regular season wraps up at home in the classic rivalry against Michigan on November 28. Michigan still leads the all-time series 62-52-6.
But the Buckeyes did win the last meeting, 27-9, in 2025. That always adds a little extra fuel to the fire.
Big Ten Away Games
Ohio State’s road schedule in 2026 isn’t for the faint of heart. On October 3, they head to Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium—a place they haven’t played since 2017.
Ohio State leads the series with Iowa 48-15-3. Still, Kinnick can be a tough place to play.
Indiana hosts the Buckeyes on October 17. Ohio State’s got a big historical edge, 80-13-5, but Indiana did pull off a 13-10 win in the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game.
That’s gotta sting a bit, right?
Then there’s a marquee game at USC on October 31. It’ll be Ohio State’s first trip there since 2008.
USC leads the series 13-10, but the Buckeyes did win the last meeting, 24-7, in the 2017 Cotton Bowl. That’s a matchup to circle on the calendar.
The last road trip is set for November 21 at Nebraska. Ohio State leads this one 10-1.
Their last game was in 2024, with the Buckeyes pulling out a 21-17 win. Nebraska always seems to play them tough, though.
Key Matchups to Watch
Some games just jump off the page for 2026. That Texas game on September 12? After the close win last time, it’s got all the makings of a thriller.
Oregon’s visit on November 7 is another big one, especially with the Ducks making their Big Ten debut in Columbus. Feels like a must-watch.
The Michigan game on November 28—well, what can you say? It’s always the headline, and with playoff implications on the line, it’s bound to be electric.
Season Ticket Information
Season ticket holders for 2025 have already gotten their renewal info and can lock in their seats through March 1. Interested in snagging season tickets or checking out other ticket packages for 2026?
Head over to the official Ohio State Buckeyes website for all the details.
Conclusion
The 2026 Ohio State football schedule is shaping up to be a wild ride. There’s a blend of old-school rivalries and some high-stakes non-conference showdowns.
New Big Ten matchups are on the horizon, which should keep things interesting for fans. If you want the nitty-gritty details, the official announcement covers it all.
