Ohio State has unveiled the kickoff times for every nonconference game on its 2026 football schedule, giving fans a clear picture of when the Buckeyes will take the field before stepping into Big Ten play.
The season opens on September 5 against Ball State, with a start slated for 12:30 p.m. and a broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
A week later, on September 19, Ohio State travels to face Kent State, again at noon, continuing the early‑season road swing.
Broadcast Partners and Game Venues
The much‑anticipated matchup against Texas is set for September 12 at 7:30 p.m., and the game will be carried live on ABC, marking one of the few prime‑time nonconference contests on the slate.
Homecoming is scheduled for October 10 against Maryland, but the start time has not yet been finalized; it will fall somewhere between 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., leaving flexibility for the network.
Most of the Big Ten conference kickoff times remain undetermined, though the showdown with Michigan on November 28 is locked in for a noon start on FOX.
The schedule notes that this will be the first time since 2023 that Ohio State does not host a nonconference game in prime time, underscoring a shift in the program’s early‑season strategy.