Ohio State University is committing nearly $4 million to guarantee two non‑conference football games against Ball State and Kent State for the 2024 season, a move that ties into a broader pattern of financial guarantees that have become a staple of the Buckeyes' scheduling strategy.
Financial Commitment and Scheduling Context
The guarantees amount to $1.9 million per visit, covering the costs for Ball State and Kent State to play at Ohio Stadium on September 5 and September 19 respectively. In addition, Ohio State will travel to Texas on September 12, further diversifying its non‑conference slate. This spending surpasses the $2.9 million the program recorded in the previous season and sits just below the $3.8 million total guarantee payouts reported for the current cycle.
Both Ball State and Kent State enter these matchups with limited recent success, having posted losing records in each of the past few seasons. Their preseason rankings in the Mid‑American Conference (MAC) reflect this, with the Golden Flashes slated to finish eighth and the Cardinals eleventh. The low expectations set the stage for Ohio State's high‑profile home games, which serve both competitive and financial purposes.
The coaching landscape adds another layer of narrative. Ball State's head coach, Mike Uremovich, begins his second season after a stint at Butler, while Kent State's Mark Carney, promoted to full‑time head coach in October 2023, also enters his second year. Their fresh perspectives are part of a rebuilding effort that could influence the dynamics of these early‑season contests.
Beyond the immediate financial outlay, the agreements illustrate how Power Five programs are increasingly leveraging guaranteed payments to secure manageable non‑conference opponents, a practice that helps balance travel schedules, television contracts, and revenue streams. As Ohio State prepares for its Texas road trip and the subsequent home games, the financial and competitive calculus underscores a shifting paradigm in college football scheduling.