If you’re refreshing your phone looking for the score of today's Ohio State football game, I have some news that might be a little tough to swallow. There is no score. Honestly, the Buckeyes aren't even taking the field today, January 13, 2026.
It feels weird, right? Usually, mid-January is when the stakes are at their absolute highest. But for the 2025-26 season, the journey for Ryan Day’s squad hit a massive, unexpected wall back on New Year’s Eve. While other teams are currently prepping for the National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium, the Buckeyes are already deep into "portal season" and looking toward next September.
What Happened to the Buckeyes?
The reason there’s no score of today's Ohio State football game is simple: they were eliminated.
The Buckeyes entered the College Football Playoff as the No. 2 seed after an incredible 12-0 regular season. They looked invincible. They beat Michigan 27-9. They held every single regular-season opponent to 16 points or less—a feat we haven't seen since the '75 Gators. But then things got bumpy. First, they dropped a nail-biter to Indiana (13-10) in the Big Ten Championship.
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Then came the Cotton Bowl.
On December 31, 2025, No. 10 Miami pulled off the unthinkable. They beat Ohio State 24-14. It was a physical, exhausting game where the Buckeyes’ offense just couldn't find its rhythm. Julian Sayin, the Freshman of the Year, threw for 287 yards but was harassed all night, getting sacked five times. Jeremiah Smith was a human highlight reel with 157 yards, but even his heroics weren't enough to overcome two costly interceptions and a stifling Hurricanes defense.
The Reality of the 2026 Offseason
Instead of a kickoff today, the news cycle in Columbus is dominated by the transfer portal and coaching changes. It’s busy. Like, chaotic busy.
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Since the portal opened on January 2, Ohio State has seen a massive exodus. We’re talking 28 players leaving, which is the third-highest number in the Big Ten. It’s not all bad news, though. Ryan Day has been aggressive in finding replacements. Just this week, they landed Earl Little Jr., an All-ACC safety from Florida State. He’s expected to fill the massive void left by Caleb Downs, who is heading to the NFL Draft.
The coaching staff is also getting a facelift. Brian Hartline moved on to South Florida, and the Buckeyes recently hired Cortez Hankton from Georgia to coach the wide receivers. There's even chatter about Brian Daboll potentially being an offensive coordinator candidate, though that looks unlikely as he interviews for NFL head coaching jobs.
Looking Ahead to 2026
If you’re desperate to see a score next to the Block O, you’re going to have to wait until September 5, 2026. That’s when the Buckeyes open the season against Ball State.
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The 2026 schedule is actually pretty wild. They have a massive road trip to Austin to play Texas on September 12. Remember, last year’s game against Texas drew over 16 million viewers. It’s going to be huge.
For now, the score of today's Ohio State football game is a zero-zero tie with "Offseason."
What You Should Do Now
Since there’s no game to watch, here is how you can stay on top of the Buckeyes’ progress:
- Track the Transfer Portal: Keep an eye on names like Hunter Welcing and Mason Williams—the tight end room is being rebuilt from scratch.
- NFL Draft Watch: Follow Caleb Downs and potentially Max Klare as they transition to the pro level; their success reflects heavily on the program’s prestige.
- Spring Game Prep: Mark your calendar for mid-April. That’s the first time you’ll see Julian Sayin back in action with his new targets.
The sting of the Miami loss is still there, but in Columbus, the work for next year has already started.