Ohio State’s schedule is a lot tougher than it was in 2025, at least on paper. In today’s edition of By the Numbers, with the season opener just 12 days away, let’s take a look at one key number for each of the Buckeyes’ 12 regular season matchups.
These numbers can be anything from last year’s versions of these opponents or historical context for the meeting, including one big, infamous number.
Ball State: 226.8 — That’s the number of passing yards per game that the Cardinals allowed in 2025, the third-most
in the MAC. This suggests the Buckeyes are likely to have a great day throwing the ball in their first game of the season, and it will enable Julian Sayin to utilize new connections in game situations.
Jeremiah Smith will get his touches, but we’ll also get to see other wide receivers like Chris Henry Jr. for the first time against a team that could allow them to make plays.
Texas: 103.9 — That’s the number of rushing yards Texas allowed per game in 2025. This suggests the Buckeyes could struggle to run the football in their first marquee game of the season.
Running the football didn’t come easy for the Buckeyes last year, and it’s something they have to be better at this season. Arthur Smith is coming in as the Buckeyes’ new offensive coordinator with a running game background. Playing at Texas in Week 2 will tell us a lot about where they are at running the football early in the season.
Kent State: 5 — The Golden Flashes won five games last year, which was five more than they won in 2024 and four more than they won in 2023.
I’m not saying to worry about Kent State, but this is a program with momentum. They probably feel good about themselves after winning five games in 2025, following just one combined win from 2023 to 2024.
Illinois: 17 and 10 — The Fighting Illini forced 17 fumbles last year and recovered 10 of them. Those numbers tell me how crucial ball security will be in this game, the Big Ten opener.
Playing at home, something like a fumble can completely shift momentum and take the crowd out of the game. The Buckeyes can’t let that happen in this game.
Iowa: 33.9 and 23.8 — Of all the great defensive numbers the Hawkeyes posted last season, these two stand out the most to me. Iowa allowed just a 33.9 percent conversion on third downs and 23.8 percent conversion on fourth down.
Getting into third-and-manageable and fourth-and-manageable will go a long way towards having success on the road against a stingy Iowa team.
Maryland: 175.6 — The Terrapins allowed 175.6 rushing yards per game last season, the fourth-most in the Big Ten. This is a game in Big Ten play where the Buckeyes can unleash their running game and show it can be a big part of their offense.
Indiana: 2-of-4 — Ohio State was just 50% in the red zone against Indiana in the Big Ten Championship last December. They have to be better than that playing the Hoosiers on the road this season.
USC: 2008 — This is the Buckeyes’ first trip to USC in 18 years. Hopefully, this time will go much better than the last time the Buckeyes played the Trojans at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.
Oregon: 157.9 — Oregon’s defense allowed just 157.9 passing yards per game last season. The Ducks’ defense will be very good again in 2026, and defense travels.
Ohio State’s offensive line will have their hands full with Oregon’s stout defensive front in this game, and it may not be the only time we see these two teams play this season.
Northwestern: 185.9 vs. 193.5 and 160.2 vs. 136.2 — The first set of numbers is Northwestern’s rushing yards per game vs. rushing yards allowed per game, while the second set of numbers is Northwestern’s passing yards per game and passing yards allowed per game.
These numbers tell me the Wildcats will look to run the football against the Buckeyes this season. Stop it, and the Buckeyes could have a great day on defense.
Nebraska: 49-7 — The last time the Buckeyes went to Lincoln in 2019, they annihilated Nebraska 49-7. Playing the Cornhuskers in the game before Michigan this year, a similar result would be mighty impressive.
Michigan: 2,925 — When the Buckeyes take the field in The Shoe on Nov. 28, it will have been 2,925 days since the Buckeyes last beat the Wolverines at home. That has to change this season — period.
