You're looking for the Ohio State Buckeyes football score today, but if you head over to the Shoe, you’ll find the gates locked and the turf empty. It’s January 18, 2026. The reality for Buckeye Nation right now is a bit of a gut punch. There is no game today because the season came to a screeching, unexpected halt a few weeks ago in the heart of Texas.
While other teams are still grinding through the College Football Playoff bracket toward the National Championship, Ohio State is already deep into "what went wrong" mode.
The Last Score: What Happened in the Cotton Bowl?
The final Ohio State Buckeyes football score of the 2025-2026 season was a 24-14 loss to the Miami Hurricanes. This happened back on December 31, 2025, in the CFP Quarterfinals at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Honestly, it was a weird game to watch. The Buckeyes entered Arlington as the No. 2 seed, fresh off a dominant regular season but nursing the wounds of a Big Ten Championship loss to Indiana.
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Miami basically dared Ohio State to beat them through the air, and for the first time all year, the rhythm just wasn't there. Julian Sayin, who had been a wizard for most of the season, struggled under a relentless Miami pass rush that sacked him five times.
The turning point? A 72-yard interception return for a touchdown by Miami’s Keionte Scott in the second quarter. That play sucked the air out of the Buckeyes' sideline. Even though Jeremiah Smith—who is basically a human highlight reel at this point—caught a 14-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to keep things interesting, the Buckeyes couldn't get the stop they needed. Miami iced it with a 5-yard run by CharMar Brown with less than a minute left.
Why isn't Ohio State playing today?
Basically, the 12-team playoff format is a double-edged sword. If you win, you’re a hero. If you lose in the quarterfinals like Ohio State did, your season ends in December or the very first day of January.
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Since the Buckeyes lost on New Year's Eve, they’ve been watching from the couch. It’s a bitter pill to swallow for a team that started the year 12-0. They beat Texas in the season opener. They handled Michigan in Ann Arbor. They looked like a juggernaut. Then, the wheels sort of wobbled against Indiana in Indianapolis, and the Miami game was the final crash.
If you are seeing scores today involving the Buckeyes, you might be looking at the basketball team. The men's basketball squad actually just beat UCLA 86-74 yesterday, January 17, behind a massive 28-point performance from John Mobley Jr. The women’s hockey team is also tearing it up, recently beating Minnesota State 4-1. But for football? The scoreboard is dark.
The Offseason Drama Has Already Started
Even without a game, the news cycle in Columbus never actually stops. Ryan Day is currently in the middle of a massive staff overhaul. Brian Hartline, the legendary wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator, is gone. He took the head coaching job at USF, which leaves a giant hole in the Buckeyes' offensive identity.
There are rumors flying everywhere about who takes that spot. Some people are pointing toward NFL names, while others are hoping for a homecoming. Day hasn't pulled the trigger on a hire yet, likely because his top targets might still be coaching in the NFL playoffs.
Then there’s the transfer portal. It’s been a revolving door.
- Departures: The team lost over 30 players to the portal since the season ended.
- The Oregon Move: Former five-star corner Aaron Scott Jr. just committed to Oregon yesterday. Seeing a local Ohio kid head to a Big Ten rival like the Ducks hurts.
- New Faces: On the flip side, they’ve added 16 transfers, including defensive back help from Georgia and Alabama.
What’s Next for the Buckeyes?
The road to the 2026 season starts with spring ball, but the immediate focus is the coaching staff and the closing of the portal. Fans are rightfully anxious. Ending the season on a two-game losing streak (Indiana and Miami) isn't the Ohio State standard.
If you’re looking for a silver lining, Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin are returning. That duo alone makes Ohio State a title contender next year. But for today, January 18, the only score that matters is the one the coaches are putting up on the recruiting trail and in the film room.
Check the 2026 schedule when it drops officially in the coming weeks. You’ll want to circle the Oregon game early. With Aaron Scott Jr. now wearing green and yellow, that matchup in the Shoe is going to be electric.
Stay tuned to the transfer portal tracker. The Buckeyes are still looking for one more impact wide receiver to fill the void left by departing seniors and transfers.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Watch the Basketball Team: Since football is over, catch the Buckeyes' next game against Minnesota on Tuesday night.
- Track the OC Hire: Keep an eye on Ryan Day’s decision for Offensive Coordinator; this will define the 2026 season.
- Portal Watch: Follow the final scholarship counts as players enroll for the spring semester this week.