A narrow road loss at Texas. A series of dominant home wins. And a Homecoming victory already secured. The 2026 Ohio State Football Schedule has delivered early drama and strong results, sitting at 5-1 before a challenging stretch that includes road trips to Indiana and USC plus home dates against Oregon and Michigan. Ohio State Buckeyes football faces a defining second half of the Big Ten season. Here is the complete 2026 Ohio State Football Schedule with dates, locations, times and television information.
2026 Ohio State Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | vs Ball State CardinalsOhio Stadium, Columbus, OH | 12:30 PM ETBTN | Win 56-3 | |
| Saturday | at Texas LonghornsDKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX | 7:30 PM ETABC | Loss 24-23 | |
| Saturday | vs Kent State Golden FlashesOhio Stadium, Columbus, OH | 12:00 PM ETFOX | Win 59-3 | |
| Saturday | vs Illinois Fighting IlliniOhio Stadium, Columbus, OH | 12:00 PM ETFOX | Win 42-19 | |
| Saturday | at Iowa HawkeyesKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | 3:30 PM ETCBS/Paramount+ | Win 31-14 | |
| Saturday | vs Maryland TerrapinsOhio Stadium, Columbus, OH | 4:15 PM ETBTN | Win 45-16 | |
| Saturday | at Indiana HoosiersMemorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at USC TrojansLA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Oregon DucksOhio Stadium, Columbus, OH | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Northwestern WildcatsOhio Stadium, Columbus, OH | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Nebraska CornhuskersMemorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Michigan WolverinesOhio Stadium, Columbus, OH | 12:00 PM ETFOX | ||
| Saturday | vs Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 8:00 PM ETFOX |
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Early Wins and a Close Road Loss
Ohio State Buckeyes Football Schedule 2026 opened with a mix of dominant performances and one narrow defeat.
- Ball State at home (Sept 5)
- Texas on the road (Sept 12)
- Kent State at home (Sept 19)
- Illinois at home (Sept 26)
- Iowa on the road (Oct 3)
Homecoming Victory
A comfortable Homecoming win followed the Iowa result.
- Maryland at home for Homecoming (Oct 10)
Road to Indiana and a Bye Week
A short road trip precedes the second bye of the season.
- Indiana on the road (Oct 17)
- Bye week (Oct 24)
West Coast Road Trip and Oregon at Home
Late October and early November bring a long road game and a major home test.
- USC on the road (Oct 31)
- Oregon at home (Nov 7)
Northwestern at Home and Closing Stretch
November finishes with one more home date, a road trip, and the traditional rivalry finale.
- Northwestern at home (Nov 14)
- Nebraska on the road (Nov 21)
- Michigan at home (Nov 28)
Ohio State Football Home Games 2026
Ohio State has seven home games at Ohio Stadium in 2026:
- Ball State
- Kent State
- Illinois
- Maryland (Homecoming)
- Oregon
- Northwestern
- Michigan
The dates against Oregon and Michigan stand out as the highest-profile opportunities at home.
The 2026 Ohio State Football Schedule features a strong early run, a key Homecoming win, and a demanding late stretch. How the Buckeyes handle the road trips to Indiana and USC, the home date with Oregon, and the final rivalry game against Michigan will shape the entire season.
FAQ
When does Ohio State play its first game on the 2026 schedule?
Ohio State Football Schedule 2026 opened at home against Ball State on Saturday, September 5, at Ohio Stadium.
When is Ohio State vs Michigan 2026?
Ohio State vs Michigan 2026 is set for Saturday, November 28, at home at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
How many home games does Ohio State play in 2026?
Ohio State has seven Ohio State football home games in 2026 at Ohio Stadium: Ball State, Kent State, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, Northwestern and Michigan.
What is Ohio State’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
The upcoming run of Indiana (road), USC (road), Oregon (home) and Michigan ranks as the toughest remaining stretch on the Ohio State Big Ten schedule 2026.
