It’s amazing to think about how long the offseason is in college football. Then again, coaches and other members of football programs may tell you there isn’t an offseason. For the Buckeyes, there will
have been over eight months in between their last game in 2025 and their first game in 2026.
Between now and Saturday, Sept. 5, there will be a lot of projections, predictions, and analysis on the Ohio State’s schedule and what their record will be in 2026. Make no mistake, this is a tougher schedule than last year —that’s a good thing.
Ohio State needs to be more battle-tested going into the College Football Playoff in 2026. This schedule will allow them to do that.
Tougher schedule in 2026 will have Buckeyes more prepared for Postseason
For starters, Ohio State doesn’t play an FCS opponent. Thank goodness. Those games aren’t fun to watch and they don’t do anything to boost résumés. They can only really damage résumés if the impossible happens.
So, it’s good the Buckeyes aren’t playing an FCS school. Their two non-conference games against non-Power Four opponents are Ball State and Kent State. While neither team reached a bowl game last season, Kent State was markedly improved at 5-7, and Ball State was 4-8.
Those teams can’t be taken lightly… especially with the game sandwiched in between them.
Sept. 12 is going to be a massive opportunity for Ohio State. If you thought last year’s season-opener was a monster going into it, just wait till this season. Week 2, at Texas, with Arch Manning being the talk of college football, and a quarterback matchup between two likely leading Heisman Trophy candidates.
Not to mention, Jeremiah Smith and many other talented players will be on that field in Austin that Saturday. Winning at Texas would be an incredible standout on Ohio State’s résumé.
Now for the Big Ten schedule. Two differences from last season: no bye week before the conference opener, and the conference opener is at home.
Illinois is no slouch. The Fighting Illini will be a challenge. Then, a road game at Iowa is never easy. If you remember what happened the last time the Buckeyes played at Iowa, you would know it’s not an easy place to play.
Even Maryland at home won’t be easy. The Buckeyes can’t be caught looking too far ahead to the next three games.
Those three games just so happen to be at Indiana, at USC, and at home to Oregon.
Indiana on the road is going to be a war. The Buckeyes aren’t just going to walk into Bloomington and put a whooping on the Hoosiers like in years past. This game is going to be in front of a raucous crowd, and Ohio State will have something to prove.
The good news is the Buckeyes have a bye week before going to USC. That’s their longest road trip of the season, so having a bye week helps.
Getting Oregon at home is also an advantage. Ohio State fans should want that game on Big Noon Kickoff to take advantage of having Oregon play early local time.
Don’t sleepwalk through Northwestern, and don’t take Nebraska lightly. A road game at Lincoln in late November could bring who knows what weather. Obviously, you all know the final game of the regular season.
This is a tougher schedule. The Big Ten won’t be a cakewalk.
There are no lay-ups in non-conference play. Texas is on the road. By Dec. 6, the Buckeyes will be more battle-tested and ready for the College Football Playoff than they were in 2025.
Buckeyes in the Super Bowl
Super Bowl LX features three notable former Buckeyes, and at least one of them will be a Super Bowl champion.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of the hallmarks of WRU in Columbus. He’s become a star in Seattle, leading the NFL with nearly 1,800 receiving yards this season and having an incredible performance in the NFC Championship.
Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson was a hard-nosed runner who had over 1,000 rushing yards in Ohio State’s national championship season in 2024. His most memorable play was the 75-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown to end the first half in the Semifinals against Texas.
Now with the Patriots, he’s an important part of a young offense that has made tremendous strides in 2025.
In addition, Patriots’ head coach Mike Vrabel is one of the great Buckeyes’ defensive players of all time. A two-time All-American defensive end, Vrabel was a two-time Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and had 36 sacks in his Ohio State career.
Vrabel is a member of both the Ohio State All-Century Team and Athletics Hall of Fame. In his 14-year NFL career, Vrabel won three Super Bowls as a linebacker on the Patriots’ dynasty teams and is a member of the Patriots Hall of Fame.
Following his playing career, Vrabel coached at Ohio State for three years before starting his NFL coaching career. He was the 2021 NFL Coach of the Year with the Tennessee Titans and is a finalist for Coach of the Year this season.
These are three great Buckeyes, and they are representing themselves well in the NFL. At least one of them is going to be a Super Bowl champion. That’s great.
Buckeyes are prominent in the NFL, and at least one of them is going to get their hands on the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night.
