So, you’re looking for the Buckeyes score. Honestly, I get it. We’re used to seeing Ohio State deep in the mix this time of year, especially with the playoff expansion. But if you’re asking what is the score of Ohio State football game today, the answer is pretty simple: there isn’t one.
The Buckeyes aren't on the field today, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
It’s a bit of a weird feeling for Columbus. Normally, this part of January is peak heart-attack season for fans. But this year, the journey ended a few weeks earlier than anyone in Scarlet and Gray wanted. If you’ve been following the season, you know it was a wild ride that hit a massive brick wall in Texas.
The Cotton Bowl Heartbreak: Why the Buckeyes are home
To understand why there’s no score to check today, we have to look back at New Year’s Eve. Ohio State entered the College Football Playoff as the No. 2 seed. They were heavy favorites. People were already booking flights for the title game.
🔗 Read more: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
Then came Miami.
The Hurricanes pulled off a massive upset in the Cotton Bowl, beating Ohio State 24-14. It was a rough night at AT&T Stadium. Julian Sayin, the freshman phenom who had been lighting it up, found out just how fast a playoff defense can move. He threw for 287 yards and a touchdown to Jeremiah Smith (who else?), but two costly interceptions—one of which was a 72-yard pick-six by Miami’s Keionte Scott—basically sealed the deal.
The Buckeyes outgained Miami 332 to 291 in total yardage. Usually, that wins you the game. But the run game just disappeared. Bo Jackson managed 55 yards on 11 carries, and as a team, Ohio State only scraped together 45 yards on the ground. You can't win playoff games in January averaging 1.9 yards per carry. Period.
💡 You might also like: Matthew Berry Positional Rankings: Why They Still Run the Fantasy Industry
Who is playing today instead?
Since today is Sunday, the football world has mostly shifted its eyes to the NFL Divisional Round. But in the college ranks, everyone is waiting for tomorrow.
The "today" in college football is really just the calm before the storm. Tomorrow night, Monday, January 19, is the actual CFP National Championship. It’s a matchup that almost nobody predicted: No. 10 Miami vs. No. 1 Indiana.
Yeah, you read that right. Indiana. The Hoosiers actually beat Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship back in December (13-10) and then steamrolled through the playoffs. It’s been a surreal year for the conference, just not in the way Buckeyes fans expected.
📖 Related: What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today? The Truth About the Off-Season
What’s the vibe in Columbus right now?
Even without a game today, the program isn't exactly quiet. Ryan Day and the staff are already deep into the "retooling" phase.
- Transfer Portal Chaos: Ohio State has been incredibly active. They’ve already added 16 transfers but lost 31 players. It's a revolving door.
- Mascot News: If you want a "win" for today, Brutus Buckeye actually just won the D1A Mascot National Championship in Orlando. He put up a 95.2 score to beat out Minnesota’s Goldy Gopher. Small wins, right?
- Other Sports: The basketball team is actually holding down the fort. John Mobley Jr. just dropped 28 points to help the Buckeyes beat UCLA 86-74 yesterday.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Season
If you're already over this season and want to know when the next real what is the score of Ohio State football game today moment happens, you’ve got a wait ahead of you.
The 2026 schedule is already starting to take shape. The Buckeyes open up on September 5, 2026, against Ball State at the Shoe. But the real date everyone is circling is September 12, when they have to travel to Austin to face Texas. That’s going to be a massive early-season test to see if the 2025 hangover is truly gone.
Basically, today is a day for recovery. The Buckeyes are watching the playoffs from the couch just like the rest of us. It stings, especially seeing Miami and Indiana play for the trophy tomorrow, but that’s the reality of the new 12-team playoff format. One bad night in Arlington and the season is over.
Next Steps for Buckeyes Fans:
Keep an eye on the National Championship game tomorrow night (Monday) at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN to see who takes the crown. Also, watch the transfer portal tracker over the next week; Ryan Day usually makes his biggest roster moves right as the current season officially ends. If you're looking for live action today, the NFL Divisional playoffs are your best bet for a football fix.