Look, I've seen some brutal runs in Columbus over the years, but looking at the Ohio State football schedule this year, I’m genuinely worried about the depth chart. We aren’t talking about the usual "three cupcakes and a prayer" September.
The 2026 season is basically a professional gauntlet disguised as a college schedule. If you thought the 12-team playoff era was going to make things easier, Ryan Day’s upcoming travel itinerary says otherwise. Honestly, it's kinda terrifying.
The Big One: Going to Austin
Everything starts and ends with that September 12 trip to Texas. After the Longhorns came into the Shoe in 2025 and we managed to squeak out a 14-7 win, you know Steve Sarkisian has had this date circled in red for a long time.
Playing in Austin in early September is a different kind of beast. It’s not just the crowd; it’s that Texas heat that melts Big Ten teams by the third quarter. Basically, the Buckeyes have to prove they can survive a hostile environment before they even sniff conference play.
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Here is how the non-conference shakes out:
- Sept 5: Ball State at home (The "get the jitters out" game).
- Sept 12: At Texas (The "everyone hold your breath" game).
- Sept 19: Kent State (The "recovery" game).
The Big Ten Gauntlet: No More Easy Outs
The Big Ten doesn't look like the Big Ten anymore. With the expansion fully settled in, the Ohio State football schedule this year features cross-country flights that would make a pilot tired.
We have to go to USC. That’s a sentence that still feels weird to type. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum isn't exactly a friendly stopover. Then you’ve got road trips to Iowa—where top-five rankings go to die in the pink locker rooms—and a visit to Lincoln to face a Nebraska team that finally seems to have its act together.
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The home slate is equally heavy. Oregon is coming to Columbus. That game alone is going to be the highest-priced ticket in the state. Dan Lanning has turned the Ducks into a Midwest-style powerhouse with West Coast speed.
Key Conference Matchups
- Oregon (Home): This is a potential preview of the Big Ten Championship.
- At USC (Away): A late-season flight to LA is a massive trap game.
- At Iowa (Away): Never, ever count out a night game at Kinnick Stadium. It's spooky.
- At Indiana (Away): Don't laugh. After the Hoosiers made that insane run last year to the title game, Bloomington is officially a "Danger Zone."
- Michigan (Home): The Game. Always.
The Matt Patricia Factor
One of the weirdest storylines heading into this season is the defensive shift. With Caleb Downs off to the NFL as a likely top-10 pick, the secondary is in a total rebuild.
Matt Patricia is now the guy in the lab. We’re hearing he’s moving back to a true three-safety look. It’s a 4-2-5 base that relies on guys like Earl Little Jr. and Terry Moore to be incredibly versatile. If those guys can’t communicate during the Texas or Oregon games, the scoreboards are going to look like pinball machines.
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Honestly, the defense might be younger than we've seen in a decade. We lost three projected first-rounders last year. Replacing that kind of "Sunday talent" while playing a schedule this dense is a massive ask for Ryan Day.
The "Game" and Beyond
Everything leads to the end of November. Michigan is coming to Ohio Stadium on November 28. After last year’s 27-9 win in Ann Arbor, the Buckeyes finally have the upper hand again, but Sherrone Moore isn't going away quietly.
The Ohio State football schedule this year is designed to test endurance. By the time the Wolverines roll into town, will the Buckeyes be healthy? Between the Texas physical toll and the Oregon speed, the training staff is going to be the most important part of the team.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you’re planning on following the Buckeyes through this gauntlet, you need a strategy. This isn't a season where you can just show up and expect a blowout every Saturday.
- Book Your Austin Travel Now: If you haven't booked a hotel for the Texas game yet, you're probably already too late or looking at $600 a night. Look at staying in San Marcos or Round Rock to save some cash.
- Monitor the Transfer Portal Window: The Jan 2-16 window just closed, but keep an eye on the post-spring camp movement. The Buckeyes are still looking for offensive line depth, and that could change the season's ceiling.
- Check Your Streaming Subs: With the Big Ten's media deal, games are scattered across FOX, CBS, NBC, and Peacock. Make sure your Peacock subscription didn't lapse, or you'll be scrambling five minutes before kickoff for one of the mid-season games.
- Watch the Injury Reports: Specifically look at the defensive backfield. With the new three-safety system, one injury to a guy like Jaylen McClain could force a true freshman into a starting role against Oregon's receivers.
This year is about survival. The 12-team playoff means a loss at Texas doesn't kill the season, but a loss at Texas plus a stumble at Iowa or USC definitely puts the Buckeyes on the bubble. It's going to be a wild ride.