One thing that has almost every college football fan nodding in agreement is the idea that the calendar is a bit messed up. However, in an attempt to do what the NFL does, college football conferences are making shows of just announcing schedules for the next season. It’s not like the conferences are making any surprises; for the most part, the opponents are already determined. Regardless, on Tuesday, the Big Ten announced the in-conference schedules for each of its 18 members. With the non-conference slate already set, the 2026 Ohio State schedule is set.
Spoiler alert: The Buckeyes will host The Team Up North in the final week of the season.
The 2026 Ohio State Football Schedule is Here!
Week 1: vs. Ball State
All-Time Series: 0-0
The first game of the 2026 season features a never-before-seen matchup! Of the 12 teams that will play in the MAC in 2026, only Ball State and UMass have never faced Ohio State…until now!
The first game of the Arthur Smith-led offense will be under the microscope. While the Cardinals are not the cream of the G6 crop, it provides a small glimpse into what 2026 could have to offer for the Buckeye offense. Additionally, it allows the Buckeye defense to get all of the new pieces ready to roll for the first true test in the following week.
Week 2: at Texas
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads, 3-2
Last Meeting: Ohio State won, 14-7, in 2025
Last Texas Win: 24-21, in 2008 (Fiesta Bowl)
There are two marquee Big Ten vs SEC matchups early on next year, just as it was in 2025. It’s The Game vs The Red River Rivlary 2.0 as Ohio State travels to Texas and Oklahoma heads to Michigan. In 2025, both games resulted in favorable results for the Buckeye faithful. Can history repeat itself this fall?
Last year’s Week 1 matchup between these two delivered, but it lacked sparks. It was the first start for Julian Sayin, and Arch Manning was not quite living up to expectations just yet. With one game to warm up, this one should be a better game to watch. Both programs believe making the CFP is the bare minimum in 2026, and both will be among the favorites to win it all.
Could this game be a CFP preview?
Week 3: vs. Kent State
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads, 3-0
Last Meeting: Ohio State won, 66-0, in 2014
Ohio State hasn’t lost to an in-state team since Oberlin’s 7-6 win in 1921. In 2002, when these two faced off for the first time, Ohio State held a 38-14 lead at halftime. Since then, the Buckeyes have outscored the Flashes 127-6 over the next 10 quarters. Win or lose against Texas, the Buckeyes will know what they must fix to make a run in 2026. Facing Kent State in Week 3 is perfect for fixing those issues.
Week 4: vs. Illinois
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads, 69-30-4
Last Meeting: Ohio State won, 36-14, in 2025
Last Illinois Win: 28-21, in 2007
The Battle for the Illibuck kicks off Ohio State’s Big Ten schedule! One of the more disappointing teams in the Big Ten in 2025, Illinois is looking to rebound after a 9-4 season in which the Illini were expected to be in the CFP discussion. Bret Bielema is building a solid program in Champaign, evidenced by the bowl win over Tennessee, but the question will be at quarterback. Who gets to take over with Luke Altmyer off to the NFL? It looks like journeyman Katin Houser will be the guy.
The last time Illinois beat Ohio State was in the penultimate week of that chaotic 2007 season. Buckeye fans still recoil at the mention of “Juice” thanks to Juice Williams.
Week 5: at Iowa
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads, 48-15-3
Last Meeting: Ohio State won, 35-7, in 2024
Last Iowa Win: 55-24, in 2017
Historically, Ohio State has dominated Iowa. Even then, remember the last time the Buckeyes traveled to Kinnick Stadium? The Hawkeyes forced four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and throttled the Urban Meyer-led Buckeyes, 55-24.
Of course, the 2026 Buckeyes aren’t the same as the 2017 team. The way-too-early expectation is that former Wake Forest quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski will take over in his second season with the Hawkeyes. The offense has been a mess for Iowa for a while, so until that tangibly changes, Ohio State’s defense should be able to get the win by itself.
Week 6: vs. Maryland
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads, 9-0
Last Meeting: Ohio State won, 37-17, in 2023
Ohio State has never lost to Maryland. There is very little hope that the trend will change in 2026. The Terps were considering a change at coach before running it back for one more year. Malik Washington is a talented quarterback, though. The Buckeyes will need to keep him contained and force him to make mistakes.
Week 7: at Indiana
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads, 80-13-5
Last Meeting: Indiana won, 13-10, in 2024 (Big Ten Championship)
Last Ohio State Win: 38-25, in 2024
There were a lot of firsts for Indiana in 2025. In the Big Ten Championship, the Hoosiers beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988. The Buckeyes owned a 31-0-1 record on the 32 games between then and the title game. Then, Indiana just went ahead on won the whole thing for the program’s first national championship. The 2025 Indiana team truly was a run from a storybook.
Now, the Buckeyes head to Indiana for what should be a top-10 matchup at worst. Curt Cignetti should be able to rebuild the team after losing a handful of starters. This matchup was the first one announced in the wake of the Hoosiers’ triumph, setting the stage for what the Big Ten will have to offer.
Assuming both teams are unbeaten (or, at the very least, Ohio State has one loss to Texas), it’ll be one of, if not the marquee game of the week.
$5 says it’s going to be on Big Noon Kickoff.
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: at USC
All-Time Series: USC leads, 13-10-1
Last Meeting: Ohio State won, 24-7, in 2017 (Cotton Bowl)
Last USC Win: 18-15, in 2009
Another member of the “could they finally contend for the CFP?” group, the USC Trojans have not lived up to expectations since Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma. Last year looked like it could have been the year, but the Trojans faltered against every halfway-decent opponent.
When Urban Meyer took down USC in the Cotton Bowl, it snapped a seven-game losing streak dating back to 1974. The two programs had a home-and-home in 2008 and 2009, but USC swept both. Of course, the 2026 editions of both teams will be vastly different than those teams.
Week 10: vs. Oregon
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads, 10-2
Last Meeting: Ohio State won, 41-21, in 2025 (CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl)
Last Oregon Win: 32-31, in 2024
The second/third marquee matchup on the 2026 Ohio State schedule is another bout with Oregon, this time in Columbus. When it comes to regular-season matchups with Oregon, the Ducks have won each of the last two. In 2021, Oregon came to the Horseshoe and stole a win. Then, in 2024, it was that infamous one-point decision as Will Howard slid short of the first-down markers, allowing the clock to run out.
Oregon is going to be a very good team in 2026. Dan Lanning’s program has been one of, if not the best, regular-season teams in the country over the last couple of years. Then, it all fell apart in the CFP for the second straight year.
Dante Moore is back, as is that talented freshman class that carried Oregon to the five seed in last year’s tourney. The Ducks are going to be a tough out again.
Week 11: vs. Northwestern
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads, 66-14-1
Last Meeting: Ohio State won, 31-7, in 2024
Last Northwestern Win: 33-27, in 2004
The Ohio State-Northwestern series has been about as one-sided as any. The Buckeyes have owned the Wildcats and haven’t lost at home since 1971. The last time these two faced off, the Buckeyes dominated at Wrigley Field. The next time Ohio State will play at Northwestern, it’ll be at the new-look Ryan Field in 2027.
As for this year, Northwestern may be more optimistic of its chances, but the Buckeyes should be able to take care of business.
Week 12: at Nebraska
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads, 10-1
Last Meeting: Ohio State won, 21-17, in 2024
Last Nebraska Win: 34-27, in 2011
Nebraska is going to be an interesting team in 2026. Matt Rhule is seemingly in a prove-it season after back-to-back 7-6 seasons after a 5-7 campaign in his first season. The torch has been passed from Dylan Raiola (who transferred to Oregon) to TJ Lateef. As a true freshman last year, Lateef took over after Raiola’s injury and beat UCLA, but lost the remaining games on the schedule. He showed flashes, but there is a lot of learning left to go before he can be trusted to win a game for the Huskers. Of course, if it’s not him, Anthony Colandrea has transferred in to take over.
Week 13: vs. Michigan
All-Time Series: Michigan leads, 62-52-6
Last Meeting: Ohio State won, 27-9, in 2025
Last Michigan Win: 13-10, in 2024
The Game. It needs no introduction.
Last year, the Buckeyes finally got back in the win column after the program’s worst stretch against Michigan since going 0-5-1 from 1988 through 1993. 305 days away, a lot can change. One thing is for certain: Ohio State lives for this game, as does Michigan. Both teams will be ready to fight.
Main Image: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
