So, the dust has finally settled on a wild 2025 campaign that saw the Buckeyes come agonizingly close—yet again. If you’re like most fans in Columbus right now, you’re probably still nursing the sting of that Big Ten Championship loss to Indiana and the subsequent exit against Miami in the Cotton Bowl. But in the world of college football, the mourning period lasts about twelve seconds before we start asking the big question: who do Ohio State play next?
Honestly, the 2026 slate looks like a gauntlet. It isn’t just about the conference games anymore. With the Big Ten expansion fully settled in and the non-conference scheduling becoming increasingly aggressive, Ryan Day’s squad is looking at a path that offers zero breathing room.
The Immediate Horizon: 2026 Non-Conference Matchups
The season kicks off with a bit of a "warm-up" that should never be taken for granted, followed by a massive heavyweight bout.
- Sept 5: Ball State at Ohio Stadium. This is the classic home opener. It’s the game where we get to see which of the young receivers are actually ready to fill the shoes of the guys heading to the NFL.
- Sept 12: Ohio State at Texas. Mark your calendars. Seriously. This is the return leg of the home-and-home, and going into Austin is never easy. Texas has been a powerhouse lately, and this will likely be a top-five matchup that dictates the playoff conversation before September is even over.
- Sept 19: Kent State at Ohio Stadium. A final tune-up before the Big Ten schedule kicks into high gear.
The Texas game is the obvious standout here. It’s a massive "show me" game for Ryan Day, especially after the way the 2025 season ended with those protection issues on the offensive line.
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Dealing With the Roster Hemorrhage
You've probably seen the news: the transfer portal has been a revolving door lately. A school-record 33 players from the 2025 roster entered the portal. That sounds scary. Kinda is. We lost guys like Tegra Tshabola to Kentucky and James Peoples to Penn State. Losing a talented back to a divisional rival? That’s a tough pill to swallow.
But it isn't all doom and gloom. Carson Hinzman and Luke Montgomery both announced they’re returning for their senior seasons. That is massive. The offensive line was the Achilles' heel against Indiana and Miami—giving up five sacks in each of those games—and having that veteran continuity back is the only way this team survives a trip to Austin.
We’re also seeing Brandon Inniss step into a primary role. With Carnell Tate moving on to the pros, Inniss is the guy. He’s been waiting in the wings behind Smith and Tate, and 2026 is his year to prove he’s the next great Buckeye wideout.
Who Ohio State Play Next in the Big Ten
The conference schedule is where things get gritty. While the exact Saturday dates for every late-season game sometimes shift for TV, the opponents are locked in. We know for a fact that the Big Ten road isn't getting any easier.
The Key Conference Battles
The 2026 Big Ten rotation means we get some familiar faces and some West Coast flair. Expect to see Iowa and Washington visiting the Shoe. Playing Washington at home is a much better deal than traveling to Husky Stadium, where the noise is basically a physical force.
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And then, of course, there’s The Game. Nov 28, 2026 (tentatively). Ohio State will host Michigan. After the Buckeyes took care of business in Ann Arbor last year with a 27-9 win, the pressure is on to keep that momentum at home. Michigan is in a transition phase, but as we’ve seen, that game ignores records and logic.
The Ryan Day Pressure Cooker
Let’s be real for a second. Ryan Day is 45-6 in his career, but in Columbus, that "6" feels like 60. The fan base is restless. The loss to Indiana in the 2025 Big Ten title game really soured the mood, especially since Indiana eventually took the whole conference.
Day has been active in the portal to fix the holes. Landing a kicker from Baylor and snagging defensive depth from Alabama (shoutout to the Qua Russaw and James Smith additions) shows he knows the defense needs more "bite" upfront.
The defense will be anchored by Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Jermaine Mathews Jr., both of whom turned down the NFL to return. That’s the "E-E-A-T" factor of this team—experienced, elite talent that stayed home to finish the job.
What You Should Watch For
If you’re tracking who Ohio State play next, don't just look at the names; look at the timing.
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- The Texas Hangover: If they beat Texas, can they stay focused for the Big Ten grind? If they lose, does the season spiral?
- The New O-Line Mix: Keep an eye on the right guard spot. With Tshabola gone, it's likely Josh Padilla or Gabe VanSickle stepping up.
- The Bo Jackson Factor: Getting Bo Jackson to return was a huge NIL win for Ross Bjork and the collective. He’s the engine of this offense.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're planning on attending, the Texas game in Austin is already seeing astronomical secondary market prices. If you want to see a home game, the Washington or Iowa matchups will be the best "bang for your buck" in terms of atmosphere versus ticket price.
Keep an eye on the official Ohio State Athletics site for the finalized kickoff times, usually released in six-to-twelve day windows during the season. For now, the focus is purely on the trenches and making sure that offensive line can actually protect the QB when the lights are brightest in Austin this coming September.