It is that time of year again when the "Scarlet and Gray" faithful wake up with one singular question on their minds: does Ohio State play Saturday? If you're asking this on January 17, 2026, the answer is a resounding yes, though the "shoe" might look a little different than the one you’re used to during the crisp autumn months of football season.
While the football Buckeyes unfortunately saw their 2025-26 campaign come to a close on New Year's Eve in a tough 24-14 loss to Miami at the Cotton Bowl, the winter sports season is in full, chaotic swing. Honestly, if you aren't paying attention to what's happening on the hardwood and the ice right now, you’re missing out on some of the most electric Buckeye moments of the year.
Today, Saturday, January 17, was a massive day for Ohio State athletics. Between a high-stakes Big Ten basketball showdown and a dominant performance on the rink, the Buckeyes were everywhere.
Does Ohio State Play Saturday? Basketball Results Are In
The biggest ticket in Columbus today was at the Schottenstein Center. The men’s basketball team hosted the UCLA Bruins in a 1:00 PM tip-off that felt like a heavyweight fight from the jump. If you were looking for the answer to does Ohio State play Saturday in the context of Big Ten standings, today provided a massive statement win for Jake Diebler’s squad.
The Buckeyes took down UCLA 86-74 in a game that was much more dominant than the final score suggests. John Mobley Jr. was absolutely unconscious. He dropped 28 points, sinking six three-pointers and essentially turning the Schottenstein Center into his personal backyard.
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What's kinda wild about this game is that the Buckeyes never actually trailed. Not once. Devin Royal (22 points) and Bruce Thornton (21 points) joined Mobley in the 20-point club. When you have three players scoring over 20 in a single Big Ten matchup, you’re basically impossible to beat. They outrebounded the Bruins 37-27, which is usually the stat that wins you games in this conference.
Key Takeaways from the UCLA Game
- The Guard Depth: Mobley and Thornton are arguably the best backcourt duo in the conference right now.
- Paint Presence: Despite some early season worries about the frontcourt, they controlled the glass today.
- Resume Building: This win moves the Buckeyes to 12-5 overall and 4-3 in the Big Ten, keeping them right in the hunt for a solid NCAA Tournament seed.
Buckeyes on the Ice: Women’s Hockey Dominance
If you think the basketball team had a good day, take a look at what the No. 2 ranked Ohio State women's hockey team did up in Mankato. They were facing off against No. 13/14 Minnesota State, and they didn't just win—they completed a regular-season series sweep.
The Buckeyes walked away with a 4-1 victory. They scored three goals in the second period alone, which is basically a blitzkrieg on ice. Kassidy Carmichael got things started in the first, but it was the special teams play that really sealed the deal. The penalty kill went 4-for-4, and they even notched a power-play goal. It was a clinic.
Taylor Kressin was solid in net, making 16 saves. Honestly, this team looks like they are on a collision course with another national championship appearance. They are now 21-3-0. Think about that for a second. That kind of consistency is rare in any sport.
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What Happened to Ohio State Football?
We have to address the elephant in the room. A lot of people asking does Ohio State play Saturday are usually looking for a football schedule. Because the College Football Playoff (CFP) expanded and shifted, the timing of the post-season has changed the way we view the January calendar.
The Buckeyes finished their regular season with a win over Michigan (27-9) but stumbled in a heartbreaker against Indiana (13-10) in the Big Ten Championship. That led them to the Cotton Bowl on December 31, 2025, where they lost to the Miami Hurricanes.
So, no, there is no Ohio State football today. The national championship is scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2026, featuring Miami and Indiana. It’s a bit of a weird feeling for Buckeye fans to watch two teams they lost to play for the title, but that’s the reality of the current landscape.
Looking Ahead: The Next Few Saturdays
The "does Ohio State play Saturday" cycle doesn't stop here. The winter schedule is packed. If you're planning your next few weekends, here is what the horizon looks like for the men’s basketball team:
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- Tuesday, Jan 20: Home vs. Minnesota (6:30 PM)
- Friday, Jan 23: Away at Michigan (8:00 PM) - This is the "Big One" for many.
- Monday, Jan 26: Home vs. Penn State (7:00 PM)
- Saturday, Jan 31: Away at Wisconsin (2:00 PM)
The hockey teams also have a busy stretch. The men’s ice hockey team is heading to Notre Dame next weekend (Jan 23-24), which is always a hostile environment. If you’re a fan of the women’s team, they’ll be hosting St. Thomas at the OSU Ice Rink on those same dates.
How to Watch the Buckeyes
Gone are the days when you just turned on Channel 10 and expected to see the game. The broadcast rights for Ohio State are spread across a few different platforms. Generally, you’ll find them on:
- FOX/FS1: A staple for Big Ten basketball.
- BTN (Big Ten Network): The home for mid-week games and Olympic sports.
- Peacock: NBC’s streaming service often carries exclusive Big Ten matchups now.
- CBS/Paramount+: Usually reserved for the marquee Saturday afternoon basketball games, like today's UCLA win.
Keep your apps updated and your subscriptions active. There’s nothing worse than sitting down with a beverage at tip-off only to realize the game is exclusive to a streaming service you haven't logged into in months.
Actionable Steps for Buckeye Fans
If you missed today's action, don't sweat it. There is still plenty of season left. Here is what you should do to stay ahead of the curve:
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official Ohio State Athletics website and download the composite schedule to your phone. It updates in real-time with TV listings.
- Check the standings: The Big Ten basketball race is incredibly tight this year. One win like today’s over UCLA can jump the Buckeyes up three spots in the projected bracket.
- Support the "non-revenue" sports: The women’s hockey and volleyball programs are consistently some of the best in the country. If you're in Columbus, tickets are cheap and the atmosphere is surprisingly intense.
- Prepare for the Michigan game: Friday, January 23, is the next big date on the calendar. Whether it’s football or basketball, the rivalry matters.
The answer to does Ohio State play Saturday is almost always "yes" if you look beyond the gridiron. Today proved that Columbus is still a basketball town when the product on the floor is this good.