So, you’re trying to figure out what time the Buckeyes kick off. It’s the universal Saturday morning struggle in Columbus and across the entire Buckeye Nation. You wake up, check the weather, and immediately need to know exactly how much time you have to get the grill going or find a seat at the bar.
Honestly, answering what time does ohio state football game start is usually a tale of two very different worlds: the tradition-heavy "Noon Slate" and the high-octane "Big Ten After Dark" experiment.
Currently, we are sitting in the heart of January 2026. The 2025-26 season just wrapped up with a bit of a sting for the scarlet and gray. If you were looking for a game today, January 14, 2026, you’re actually out of luck. The season officially ended for the Buckeyes on December 31, 2025, with that tough 24-14 loss to Miami in the Cotton Bowl.
But if you’re planning for the future or wondering why you were yelling at your TV at noon every Saturday last November, there’s a specific rhythm to Ohio State kickoff times that every fan should understand.
What Time Does Ohio State Football Game Start? The "Big Noon" Reality
If it feels like Ohio State always plays at noon, you aren't crazy. It’s basically a law of physics at this point.
Ever since FOX took over as a primary broadcast partner for the Big Ten, they’ve leaned heavily into the "Big Noon Kickoff" brand. While other conferences save their best games for prime time, the Big Ten—and specifically Ohio State—is the centerpiece of the 12:00 PM ET window.
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In the 2025 season we just finished, the Buckeyes played a staggering number of games in that early slot. Look at the home opener against Texas or "The Game" against Michigan in late November. Both of those were noon kicks on FOX.
Why? Because the networks know you’ll watch. They want to own the morning before the SEC and Big 12 take over the afternoon and night. It’s great for tailgating early, but it’s a bit of a drag if you like the atmosphere of the Horseshoe under the lights.
The Exceptions: When the Sun Goes Down
Of course, it isn't always a noon start. You’ve got the night games that turn High Street into a different kind of animal.
Last season, we saw a few 7:30 PM ET starts, notably the UCLA game and the early-season matchup against Ohio University that aired on Peacock. These night games are usually reserved for NBC’s "Big Ten Saturday Night" package or the occasional streaming-exclusive deal.
Then there’s the "mid-day" 3:30 PM ET slot. This is the classic CBS window. When Ohio State travels to places like Wisconsin or Washington (as they did last September), that 3:30 PM start time becomes way more likely.
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Predicting the 2026 Kickoff Times
We’re already looking ahead to the 2026 season, which kicks off in September. While the exact times aren't locked in yet—networks usually announce the first three weeks in May—we can make some very educated guesses based on the schedule.
The Buckeyes open 2026 against Ball State on September 5th. Historically, these non-conference games against MAC schools fall into two categories: a noon blowout or a 3:30 PM Big Ten Network special.
However, the Week 2 trip to Austin for the rematch against Texas on September 12, 2026, is the one everyone is circling. Since the 2025 game in Columbus was a noon start on FOX, don't be surprised if ESPN/ABC tries to snag the 2026 return game for a 7:30 PM ET or 8:00 PM ET "Saturday Night Football" slot.
How to Check the Start Time Every Week
If you want to be 100% sure about what time does ohio state football game start, you have to know where to look. The Big Ten often uses a "6-day or 12-day window" to announce times. This means for a game on Saturday, the networks might not decide the time until the Sunday or Monday prior.
- The Official Ohio State Buckeyes App: This is the most reliable source. They update the schedule the second the TV networks make a call.
- The "Big Noon" Announcement: Every Saturday morning, FOX usually announces their selection for the next week.
- Social Media: Follow the @OhioStateFB accounts. They are surprisingly good at posting "Kickoff Time Confirmed" graphics immediately.
Why Kickoff Times Matter for Your Gameday
If the game starts at noon, the "Skull Session" at St. John Arena usually happens about two hours and 20 minutes before kickoff. That means if you’re heading to the Shoe for a 12:00 PM game, you need to be in your seat at St. John by 9:30 AM.
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For a 7:30 PM night game, you have all day to soak in the atmosphere, but the stadium entry lines get significantly longer as the crowd gets, well, "more festive."
The 2025 season showed us that even with a 12-2 record and a deep playoff run, the schedule is never truly set in stone until the TV execs get their way. Whether it’s a noon start against a rival or a late-night battle on the coast, the rhythm of Ohio State football is dictated by the clock as much as the talent on the field.
Keep an eye on the May announcements for the 2026 schedule. That's when we'll find out if the Ball State, Texas, and Kent State games follow the usual pattern or give us a few more nights under the lights at Ohio Stadium.
To stay prepared for the 2026 season, your best move is to bookmark the official athletics calendar and check in right after the spring game in April. That is when the early-season broadcast windows usually start to leak.