Ohio State football is a short 101 days away. This offseason, the major TV networks have been working tirelessly to decide who gets what. The Ohio State kick-off times have been a hot topic over the years, and this year is not going to be any different.
With the inclusion of three more kick-off time announcements, as of now, the Buckeyes will be on at least three different networks.
Early-Season Ohio State Kick-Off Times Announced
Two Already-Known Times
Earlier this offseason, the program announced two kick-off times, neither of which was much of a surprise.
In Week 2, Ohio State will travel to Austin, Texas, to take on the Texas Longhorns. Unlike last year’s matchup of two of the top three teams in the nation, which kicked off at noon at Ohio Stadium, it’ll be in primetime this year. Since the game is in SEC country, ABC and ESPN get dibs, so Ohio State-Texas will kick off at 7:30 p.m.
The other obvious kick-time will be on November 28 when Michigan comes down to Columbus for the 122nd edition of The Game. When it kicks off, it’ll mark the 20th consecutive season that Ohio State-Michigan plays at noon. While the Ohio State faithful dislike a schedule full of noon kicks, The Game is the exception.
Week 1 vs. Ball State: 12:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network
The first game of the year isn’t at noon! Rather, it’s a noon-thirty and will be on the Big Ten Network.
When the two face off on September 5, Ball State will finally be checked off the list of teams Ohio State has never played.
Last season, the Cardinals went 4-8 overall with a 3-5 mark in the Mid-American Conference. However, all of the early 2026 season previews are coming out, and Ball State is consistently toward the bottom of the already-not-great MAC. Ball State’s quarterback competition between Keldric Luster and Tyler Mizzell (both incoming transfers) will be fun to watch, however.
Good luck against that defense.
Week 3 vs. Kent State: 12:00 p.m. on FOX
The week after the Buckeyes return from Austin, they get to kick off at noon against another MAC foe. This time, it’s Kent State, and it’ll be on FOX. Let’s see how excited Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt sound calling this titular matchup.
While Ohio State never played Ball State before this season, the Buckeyes have faced Kent State three times, resulting in three Ohio State wins. Last time out, in 2014, the Buckeyes didn’t break a sweat and cruised to a 66-0 win. In 2007, OSU won, 48-3. The 2002 matchup was the closest, with the Buckeyes winning 52-17.
Kent State is expected to be a bit better this year, but barring a nuclear collapse, the Buckeyes should be able to get their second or third win in three weeks.
Week 6 vs. Maryland: 3:30 p.m. OR 8:00 p.m. (Network TBD)
Finally, the kick-off time at home against Maryland isn’t set in stone, but we know it’s not going to be at noon. If CBS picks it up, it’ll likely be at 3:30 p.m., or if BTN or Peacock calls dibs, the 8:00 p.m. slot makes sense.
In addition to narrowing down the time, Ohio State announced that the Week 6 game vs. Maryland will be Homecoming. Having Homecoming under the lights would be fun.
Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014 and has suited up against the Buckeyes nine times. Each time, Ohio State came out on top. Most matchups have been fairly lopsided, but that 2018 game legitimately took years off the back end of some Buckeye fans’ lives. This year will be the first time these two have played since 2023. That year, OSU took care of business, 37-17, after digging itself into a 10-0 hole.
Full 2026 Ohio State Schedule
- Week 1 vs. Ball State (12:30 p.m. on BTN)
- Week 2 at Texas (7:30 p.m. on ABC)
- Week 3 vs. Kent State (12:00 p.m. on FOX)
- Week 4 vs. Illinois
- Week 5 at Iowa
- Week 6 vs. Maryland (3:30 p.m. OR 8:00 p.m. on TBD)
- Week 7 at Indiana
- Week 8 BYE
- Week 9 at USC
- Week 10 vs. Oregon
- Week 11 vs. Northwestern
- Week 12 at Nebraska
- Week 13 vs. That Team Up North (12:00 on FOX)
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