One of college football's best, most consistently successful programs will begin its quest for another national championship this weekend.
Ohio State, the No. 1 team in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, will kick off its 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 with a game against Ball State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Watch Ohio State vs. Ball State football live with Fubo (free trial)
After winning the national title during the 2024 season — their first championship since 2014 and third since 2002 — the Buckeyes went 12-1 in the regular season, snapped a four-game losing streak to archrival Michigan and earned a No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff, but were upset by eventual national runner-up Miami in the quarterfinals.
Coach Ryan Day's
team brings back many of its best players from that squad, including quarterback Julian Sayin, a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2025, and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, regarded by some as the No. 1 overall pick in next year's NFL draft.
That group will square off against a Ball State team in its second season under coach Mike Uremovich. The Cardinals went 4-8 last season. Saturday will mark the first-ever meeting between the programs from neighboring states.
Here's how to watch the Ohio State vs. Ball State game, including the TV channel, start time, streaming information and more:
Ohio State vs Ball State picks, predictions, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Sept. 1
- Spread: Ohio State (-50.5)
- Over/under: 56.5 points
Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 52, Ball State 3. It might be the first-ever meeting between the schools, but the Buckeyes are well accustomed to bludgeoning MAC opponents in recent years. They are 6-0 against the Group of 6 conference in the Ryan Day era, winning by an average margin of 51.5 points per game. Ball State’s rebuild under Mike Uremovich, a former Butler coach who took over the program last year, won’t do much to narrow the gap. Expect an overly vanilla game plan a week before a formidable trip to Texas would make for a respectable score.
Craig Meyer, USA TODAY: Ohio State 52, Ball State 6 The Buckeyes should have no problems as they open up a new season against a team and program over which they have innumerous advantages.
More USA TODAY staff picks:
- John Brice: Ohio State
- Matt Hayes: Ohio State
- Jordan Mendoza: Ohio State
- Paul Myerberg: Ohio State
- Erick Smith: Ohio State
- Eddie Timanus: Ohio State
- Blake Toppmeyer: Ohio State
What TV channel is Ohio State vs Ball State on today?
- TV channel: Big Ten Network
- Streaming: Fox One | Fubo (free trial)
Ohio State and Ball State football's Week 1 game will be broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network. Jeff Levering (play-by-play) and former Michigan star tight end Jake Butt (analyst) will be on the call while Brooke Fletcher will serve as the sideline reporter.
Streaming options for the game include Fox One, Fox's sports streaming service, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Ohio State vs Ball State time today
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
- Start time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
Ohio State and Ball State are scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 5 from Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ohio State vs Ball State prediction: Buckeyes predictably roll in intrastate opener
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Prediction Markets: Certain prediction markets are event contracts regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or other applicable regulatory authorities and are legally distinct from traditional gambling and sports betting. Eligibility requirements to participate in prediction markets differ from those for sports betting and gambling — you may be required to be 18 or older (or such other age as the applicable platform requires) and to satisfy other eligibility criteria established by the relevant platform and governing law. Prediction market trading involves financial risk and may not be available in all jurisdictions. The legal and regulatory status of prediction markets varies by jurisdiction and by platform. It is your sole responsibility to confirm that participation is lawful where you reside and to comply with all applicable laws and platform terms.
