If you walk into a bar in Columbus and start talking about the ohio state all time record, you’re going to hear a lot about 100-win seasons, Woody Hayes, and that one year in 2011 we don't like to talk about. But here’s the thing. Most people just look at the total win count and assume Michigan or Alabama has them beat because of the "history" factor.
Actually, they're wrong.
As we sit here in early 2026, fresh off another wild season, the numbers tell a story that isn't just about being "good." It’s about being the most consistently dominant program in the history of the sport. Period.
The Current State of the Ohio State All Time Record
Let’s get the raw numbers out of the way first. Through the end of the 2025 season—which, let’s be honest, was a rollercoaster—Ohio State’s official record stands at 995 wins, 335 losses, and 53 ties.
Think about that. Nearly 1,000 wins.
Only a handful of programs have even sniffed that territory. But the real flex isn't the total; it’s the percentage. For years, Ohio State and Michigan have been playing a game of statistical leapfrog. One week Michigan is the winningest program ever; the next, Ohio State passes them in winning percentage.
🔗 Read more: The Philadelphia Phillies Boston Red Sox Rivalry: Why This Interleague Matchup Always Feels Personal
Right now, the Buckeyes sit at a winning percentage of approximately .737.
That is basically the gold standard. It means for over 130 years, Ohio State has won nearly three out of every four games they’ve ever played. No other "blue blood" can claim that level of sustained excellence without a decade-long "dark age" somewhere in the middle. Even Alabama had the pre-Saban years where they were... well, human.
Why the 2024 and 2025 Seasons Changed Everything
You can't talk about the record without mentioning the last two years. 2024 was a massive year for the history books. The Buckeyes went 14-2, navigated the first-ever 12-team playoff, and secured their ninth national championship.
Winning that title didn't just add a trophy to the case; it pushed the program past the 980-win mark and put them on a collision course with 1,000.
Then came 2025.
💡 You might also like: The Eagles and Chiefs Score That Changed Everything for Philadelphia and Kansas City
It was a weird one. 12-2 overall. We won the games we were supposed to, beat Michigan in the Big House (27-9, if you want the specifics), but lost a heartbreaker to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship. Then the Cotton Bowl loss to Miami (FL) happened. While those late-season losses stung, they still added 12 wins to the ohio state all time record.
The Road to 1,000 Wins
We are currently sitting at 995. That means the 2026 season is the "Century Mark" year.
- September 5 vs. Ball State: Should be win 996.
- September 12 at Texas: This is the big one. If they win in Austin, the hype for 1,000 goes nuclear.
- The Target: Barring a total collapse, Ohio State will hit 1,000 wins sometime in October 2026.
The Controversy: Vacated Wins and the "Asterisk"
Kinda feels wrong to talk about records without mentioning the 2010 season. If you look at the "official" NCAA record books, you’ll see an asterisk next to Jim Tressel’s final year. Because of the whole "Tattoo-gate" situation—which feels incredibly silly in the age of NIL—the NCAA vacated all 12 wins from that season.
If those wins still counted? Ohio State would already be over the 1,000-win mark.
Fans in Columbus generally ignore the NCAA’s ruling on this. When you're standing in the stadium, you know those guys won those games. But for the sake of the "official" ohio state all time record, we have to play by the NCAA's rules. Even with 12 wins erased from history, the Buckeyes are still statistically the most successful program in terms of win percentage.
📖 Related: The Detroit Lions Game Recap That Proves This Team Is Different
Head-to-Head: The Rivalries That Define the Record
Total wins are great for a Wikipedia page, but the record only matters if you beat the people you hate.
Michigan (The Game)
The series record is still a sore spot for some older fans. Michigan leads the all-time series 62–52–6. However, if you've been alive for the last 25 years, you’ve seen a different story. Since 2000, Ohio State has absolutely dominated this rivalry. The 2025 win was just another reminder that while Michigan has the "legacy" lead from the early 1900s, the modern ohio state all time record is built on beating the Wolverines.
The Big Ten Dominance
The Buckeyes have 40 conference championships. They've spent more weeks at Number 1 in the AP Poll than almost anyone else. They’ve produced seven Heisman winners (Archie Griffin still the only two-time winner, obviously).
How to Track the Record Moving Forward
If you're a die-hard fan or just a bettor looking at the long-term trends, you need to watch three things in 2026:
- The 1,000-Win Countdown: The University is already planning the merchandise. You know it’s coming.
- Winning Percentage vs. Alabama: Bama and OSU are usually within .001 of each other. A single loss can flip who is "Number 1 All Time" by percentage.
- Bowl Success: Historically, the Buckeyes were around .500 in bowls. The 2024 playoff run helped, but the 2025 Cotton Bowl loss dropped the "Major Bowl" record back to 24-23.
The ohio state all time record isn't just a static number. It’s a living thing that changes every Saturday in the fall. We are currently witnessing the most successful era in the history of the program, despite how loud the "fire everyone" crowd gets after a single loss.
Keep an eye on that Texas game in September 2026. That’s the pivot point. If they win that, the march to 1,000 wins becomes the biggest story in college football.
For the most accurate live updates, always check the official NCAA record book updates rather than third-party blogs that might not account for vacated wins or the specific nuances of the 2024-2025 playoff results. The best way to stay ahead is to track the "Winningest Programs by Percentage" list, which is the true measure of a blue blood.