If you are looking for the Buckeyes right now, you aren't alone. It’s that time of year when Columbus basically shuts down whenever there’s a scarlet and gray jersey on a screen. But keeping track of the schedule can be a headache, especially with the Big Ten expanding and games being scattered across every streaming service imaginable.
Do Ohio State play today? Yes, the women's basketball team is in action.
On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the Ohio State women's basketball team is taking on the Penn State Nittany Lions. This is a home game at the Schottenstein Center, and if you’ve been following Kevin McGuff’s squad this season, you know they’ve been playing with a massive chip on their shoulder.
Everything you need for the Ohio State vs. Penn State game
The atmosphere at the Schott is usually electric for Big Ten matchups, and Penn State always brings a certain level of intensity that makes these games "must-watch."
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- Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
- Tip-off Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Location: Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH
- Broadcast: B1G+ (Big Ten Network Plus)
Honestly, B1G+ is a bit of a hurdle for some fans who just want to flip on the TV, but it's where a lot of these midweek conference games live now. If you don't have the subscription, you can usually catch the radio broadcast on 97.1 The Fan in the Columbus area.
What about the Men's Basketball team?
If you were hoping to see the men’s team tonight, you’re going to have to wait a few days. They just finished a tough road trip out West—losing a close one to Washington 81-74 back on Sunday.
They are currently back in Columbus, probably catching up on sleep and practice before a massive weekend showdown. They play UCLA this Saturday, January 17, at 1:00 PM. That one is definitely going to be a sellout. The transition of UCLA and USC into the Big Ten still feels a little weird, doesn't it? But it makes for some incredible home matchups that we just didn't see five years ago.
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Ohio State Football: The Transfer Portal is the real "Game"
Since it's January, the football team isn't on the field, but they are absolutely "playing" the recruiting game. If you follow Ryan Day on social media, you’ve probably seen the "BM" (Buckeye Moment) or "Boom" posts lately.
Just this week, the Buckeyes landed a massive commitment from Earl Little Jr., a safety who spent time at Alabama and Florida State. This is huge because the secondary took some hits after the Cotton Bowl loss to Miami. Even though there isn't a kickoff today, the roster for the 2026 season is being built in real-time right now.
People are talking a lot about the fact that over 30 players have hit the portal. It sounds like a lot—and it is—but that’s just the landscape of college football in 2026. Ohio State is still ranked No. 2 in the overall team rankings for next year, trailing only Texas.
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Other Buckeye sports happening now
Ohio State is a massive department, so there’s almost always someone competing.
- Men's Volleyball: They are prepping for a big match against Long Beach State later this week.
- Tennis and Track: Both teams have indoor meets and matches scheduled for the coming weekend, including trips to Hawaii and Indiana.
- Wrestling: One of the most underrated tickets in Columbus. They have a big meet coming up this Sunday.
How to watch Ohio State games in 2026
Navigating the TV deals is a full-time job. Basically, if it’s a major football or men’s basketball game, look at FOX, CBS, or NBC.
For everything else, you need the Big Ten Network or the B1G+ app. It’s annoying to have five different apps just to watch one school, but that’s where the revenue comes from. If you're heading to the Schottenstein Center tonight for the women's game, remember that it's a cashless venue. Don’t be that person stuck at the concession stand with only a twenty-dollar bill.
Actionable Steps for Buckeye Fans
To stay on top of the "do Ohio State play today" question without having to search for it every morning, do these three things:
- Download the official Ohio State Buckeyes app. It syncs the schedule directly to your phone's calendar. It's the most reliable way to see time changes, which happen way more often than they used to.
- Check the "Composite Schedule" on OhioStateBuckeyes.com. This is the secret weapon. It lists every single sport—from Fencing to Football—in one chronological list.
- Follow the beat reporters. Folks like the crew at Eleven Warriors or The Columbus Dispatch usually tweet out tip-off reminders a few hours before the game starts.
If you are planning to go to the UCLA game this Saturday, buy your tickets now. With the Bruins being new to the conference, the secondary market prices are already starting to spike.