A season of expectations
The Ohio State Buckeyes will open the 2026 football season on September 5, when they host Ball State at noon Eastern time. The matchup marks the first test for a team that entered the year atop the major national polls.
Ranked No. 1 in both the LBM Coaches Poll and the Associated Press poll, the Buckeyes carry the highest preseason expectations in recent memory, a status that reflects a recruiting haul and a returning core of All‑American talent.
Ball State, a Mid‑American Conference program from Muncie, Indiana, arrives after a 4‑8 campaign in 2025, making the contest a stark contrast to the Buckeyes’ national championship aspirations.
Unlike many of its Big Ten peers, Ohio State will not be part of the ‘Week Zero’ slate on August 29, a scheduling quirk that has seen schools such as Southern California open the season earlier against San Jose State.
The Buckeyes’ next test will come two weeks later, on September 12, when they travel to face Texas in a primetime showdown at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. The Longhorns provide a marquee non‑conference opponent and an early gauge of Ohio State’s mettle.
Beyond those early games, the schedule lists contests against Kent State, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Indiana, USC, Oregon, Northwestern and Michigan, each promising a different challenge as the team seeks to translate preseason hype into on‑field dominance.
As the season unfolds, the Buckeyes will be measured not only by wins but by how they navigate a demanding slate that tests depth, discipline and the ability to sustain a top‑ranked position throughout the year.