If you're waking up on this Saturday, January 17, 2026, and scouring the internet to see did ohio state win football game today, I’ve got some news that might be a little tough to swallow. The short answer? No. There isn't a game. In fact, there won't be another Buckeyes football game for a while.
The 2025-2026 college football season is currently wrapping up its final act, but Ohio State isn't part of the closing credits. While the National Championship is right around the corner—set for Monday, January 19, between Miami and Indiana—the Buckeyes have been home in Columbus for over two weeks now.
It feels weird, right? Usually, by mid-January, we're talking about a trophy presentation. Not this time.
What happened to the Buckeyes in the Playoff?
The answer to did ohio state win football game today is rooted in a chilly night back on December 31, 2025. That was the last time the Buckeyes took the field. It was the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl, and things did not go according to plan.
Ohio State faced off against the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes. On paper, most experts—including the folks over at ESPN and The Athletic—had the Buckeyes as heavy favorites. They were the No. 2 seed, after all. But the Hurricanes rode a wave of opportunistic defense and a gritty performance from quarterback Carson Beck to pull off a 24-14 upset.
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It was a frustrating watch. Julian Sayin, the Buckeyes' young signal-caller, threw for 287 yards but was plagued by two massive interceptions. One of those picks, by Miami’s Jakobe Thomas with under a minute left, effectively iced the game. The Buckeyes' offense, which had been a juggernaut all year, just couldn't find its rhythm when it mattered most.
The December Slide
To understand why there’s no game today, you have to look at the "December Slide."
Ohio State finished the regular season a perfect 12-0. They beat Michigan. They looked invincible. Then, the wheels started wobbling.
- Big Ten Championship: They lost a heartbreaker to Indiana, 13-10, on December 6.
- The Bye Week: Despite the loss, they got a first-round bye in the expanded 12-team playoff.
- The Cotton Bowl: They came out flat against Miami and never truly recovered.
So, while Indiana is preparing to play for a national title on Monday, the Buckeyes are already looking at the transfer portal and the 2026 depth chart.
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Is there any Ohio State game today?
Actually, yes—just not a football one. If you're a die-hard Buckeye fan and you just need to see that Scarlet and Gray in action, you're in luck.
The Ohio State men’s basketball team is hosting UCLA today, January 17, at the Schottenstein Center. Tip-off is at 1:00 p.m. ET, and it’s actually a huge matchup being televised on CBS. Bruce Thornton has been on a tear lately, and considering the Bruins are now Big Ten rivals, the atmosphere in Columbus should be electric.
Also, if you're into hockey, the women's team is currently in the middle of a series against Minnesota State. They won big earlier this week, so the momentum is definitely on their side.
Looking ahead to 2026
While you won't find a football score for today, the news coming out of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center is actually pretty optimistic.
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We just found out that starting offensive linemen Luke Montgomery and Carson Hinzman are "running it back" for their senior seasons. That’s massive. A lot of the struggles in the Miami and Indiana games came down to protection breakdowns, so having that veteran leadership return is the first win of the 2026 season.
Ryan Day has also been busy in the transfer portal. Just yesterday, reports surfaced that the Buckeyes landed a key special teams starter and a veteran linebacker to fill the holes left by departing seniors.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check the Hoops Score: If you missed the 1 p.m. tip-off, check the final for the Ohio State vs. UCLA basketball game. It's a barometer for how this team handles the new Big Ten schedule.
- Watch the National Championship: Monday night (Jan 19) is Miami vs. Indiana. It’s a bitter pill for Buckeyes fans, but seeing how Indiana handles the stage might give some perspective on the Big Ten's current power balance.
- Mark Your Calendar: The 2026 Spring Game usually happens in mid-April. We’re only about 90 days away from seeing Julian Sayin back under center.
The quest for a championship didn't end the way anyone in Columbus wanted, but the "retooling" phase is already in high gear. We might not have a game today, but the work for next September has already begun.