You're probably waking up, grabbing your favorite hoodie, and checking your phone to see exactly what time is the osu football game on saturday so you can plan your wings and couch seating. It’s a ritual. But if you’re looking for a kickoff time for today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, I have to be the bearer of some pretty sobering news.
There is no game. At least, not a football one.
The Ohio State Buckeyes’ run for a national title ended a few weeks back in a tough 24-14 loss to Miami in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl. Honestly, it’s a bit of a weird feeling for Columbus. Usually, by mid-January, we're either celebrating a trophy or arguing about what went wrong in the semifinals. This year, the calendar is just... empty.
If you are seeing "OSU" on your TV guide for today, you’re likely looking at the women’s ice hockey team taking on Minnesota State at 4 p.m. or the women's gymnastics meet against Rutgers. Both are great, but they aren't the Horseshoe.
Why the OSU football game schedule looks different right now
The way the College Football Playoff (CFP) is structured now, the timing for these big games has shifted. We used to have that long gap between the Big Ten Championship and the New Year’s bowls, but the 12-team expansion changed the rhythm.
Because the Buckeyes lost on December 31st to the Hurricanes, they didn't advance to the semifinals that just happened last week.
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- The Peach Bowl (Jan 9): Indiana beat Oregon 56-22.
- The Fiesta Bowl (Jan 8): Miami beat Ole Miss 31-27.
So, while you might have "what time is the osu football game on saturday" burned into your search history, the reality is that the national championship is set for Monday, January 19th. It’ll be Indiana against Miami. It’s kinda surreal seeing the Hoosiers in the title game while the Buckeyes are already in off-season mode, but that's 2026 for you.
What about Oklahoma State?
Sometimes people ask about the "other" OSU. If you’re a Cowboys fan, the news isn't much better for your Saturday plans. Oklahoma State had a rough 2025 season, finishing 1-11 and missing out on the postseason entirely. Their last game was back in November—a 20-13 loss to Iowa State.
Basically, both OSUs are sidelined right now. One is recovering from a deep playoff run that fell just short; the other is essentially hitting the reset button.
When do the Buckeyes actually play again?
If you’re desperate to see scarlet and gray on the gridiron, you’ve got a long wait ahead. The 2026 schedule is already out, and it’s a doozy. Mark your calendars for September 5, 2026. That’s the official season opener against Ball State at Ohio Stadium.
It feels like forever away. I know.
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After that, the Buckeyes have a massive road trip to Austin to play Texas on September 12th. That game is already being hyped as a potential top-five matchup. If you're planning travel, that’s the one to circle.
Looking at the 2026 Home Slate
The home schedule for 2026 actually looks pretty fun despite the long wait:
- Sept 5: Ball State
- Sept 19: Kent State
- TBA: Michigan (The Game is back in Columbus this year!)
- TBA: Oregon
- TBA: Illinois
The Big Ten hasn't dropped the exact kickoff times for the fall yet—they usually wait until the summer or the 12-day window during the season—but you can bet your bottom dollar the Michigan and Oregon games will be high-noon or prime-time slots.
Real talk on the 2025 season finish
It’s easy to be frustrated that there isn't an osu football game on saturday to watch. The loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship (13-10) was a defensive masterclass that just didn't go Ohio State's way. Then, seeing Miami's defense suffocate the Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl was the final nail.
The 2025 Buckeyes were talented. Will Howard and the offense had flashes of brilliance, but the consistency wasn't there when the lights got the brightest in late December. Ryan Day is going to be under a microscope this spring, especially with the way the portal is moving.
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What to do with your Saturday instead
Since you won't be watching football, you can still support the Buckeyes in other ways. The athletic department is busy today.
- Women’s Ice Hockey: They are playing Minnesota State at 4 p.m. ET. This team is legit—ranked #2 in the country. If you want to see a winning tradition, this is where it's at.
- Women's Swimming & Diving: They have a dual meet against Michigan at noon in Columbus. It's a rivalry, even in the water.
- Gymnastics: The #16 Buckeyes are at Rutgers at 4 p.m.
Honestly, the "football-only" fan misses out on a lot of what makes OSU great. But I get it. Nothing replaces the atmosphere of a Saturday at the Shoe.
Looking forward to 2026
If you’re already thinking about next year’s playoff, the 2026-2027 CFP schedule is going to be just as wild. The expansion has made the regular season more forgiving but the postseason much more grueling. Ohio State will likely be a favorite again, especially with the recruiting class they’ve got coming in.
For now, put the jersey in the wash, maybe check out the NFL Divisional round (the Broncos play the Bills today at 4:30 p.m. on CBS), and start counting down the days until September.
Instead of searching for a kickoff time that doesn't exist, start looking into 2026 season tickets or booking your hotel for the Texas game in Austin. Those rooms are going to disappear fast once the official times are announced this summer.