Ohio State has opened the 2026 college football season at the pinnacle of the AP poll, holding the No. 1 spot as the Buckeyes prepare for a demanding slate of games.
The first test comes on September 5, when the team welcomes Ball State to Ohio Stadium for a noon kickoff, a tune‑up game that precedes the real challenges ahead.
Two weeks later, the Buckeyes will host No. 5 Texas in a primetime showdown on September 12, a matchup that pits the top‑ranked Buckeyes against a Longhorns squad entering the season with its own high expectations.
Beyond those early marquee games, the schedule unfolds with a series of contests against other top‑25 opponents, including home meetings with Iowa, Maryland and Indiana, and road trips to face USC, Oregon and Nebraska.
The climax arrives in Week 13, when the traditional rivalry with Michigan, now ranked No. 16, visits Columbus for a noon contest that traditionally draws national attention.
All of these Big Ten Saturday Night games will be available to viewers through NBC’s broadcast platform and the Peacock streaming service, giving fans multiple ways to follow the action.
A Grueling Road Ahead
The Buckeyes’ path is punctuated by six games against preseason top‑25 teams, a stretch that includes battles with Texas, Oregon, Michigan and others, making the 2026 campaign one of the most challenging in recent memory.
Fans can tune in to the Saturday night slate on NBC, with many games also streaming on Peacock, ensuring that viewers across the country can catch every pivotal moment.