If you’re a Buckeyes fan, the sting of that College Football Playoff exit is probably still a little fresh. Honestly, losing to Miami in the quarterfinals after such a dominant regular season was a tough pill to swallow. But in Columbus, we don't dwell on the past for long. We look at the recruiting trail, the transfer portal, and—most importantly—the calendar. Everyone wants to know the same thing: who does Ohio State play next and how does the road back to the CFP look for 2026?
The 2025 season is officially in the rearview mirror. The Buckeyes finished 12-2, a record most programs would kill for, but for Ryan Day and this roster, "good" isn't the goal. With stars like wide receiver Carnell Tate declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft and offensive linemen like Austin Siereveld and Luke Montgomery confirming their return, the pieces for another run are already moving.
The Next Game: A Fresh Start in the Shoe
So, who does Ohio State play next? To kick off the 2026 campaign, the Buckeyes will host the Ball State Cardinals on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Ohio Stadium.
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It's the typical Week 1 vibe. You’ve got the band, the Script Ohio, and a MAC opponent coming into the Horseshoe. While some fans might overlook a game against Ball State, it’s the first real look at the 2026 roster. We’ll finally see how the quarterback room shakes out and if the new transfer kicker, Connor Hawkins from Baylor, can bring some much-needed stability to the special teams unit after last year's postseason kicking struggles.
The Brutal September Road Trip
After the home opener, things get serious fast. Like, "national championship preview" fast.
On September 12, 2026, Ohio State travels to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns. This is the second leg of a high-profile home-and-home series. Last year's matchup was a classic, and this one should be even better. Texas is expected to have Arch Manning leading the charge, and playing at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium is never easy. If you're looking for the biggest non-conference game of the year, this is basically it.
Following that Texas showdown, the Buckeyes return home on September 19 to play Kent State. It’s a chance to breathe, refine the playbook, and get healthy before the Big Ten gauntlet begins.
The Big Ten Schedule: A New Era of Chaos
The Big Ten isn't the conference it used to be. It’s bigger, faster, and frankly, a lot more exhausting. While we don't have every kickoff time locked in yet, we know the dance partners for 2026.
The Buckeyes have a massive target on their back, especially after going unbeaten in conference play last year before that heartbreaker in the Big Ten Championship against Indiana. Here is a look at the confirmed home and away matchups for the 2026 Big Ten season:
Home Games at Ohio Stadium:
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- Illinois: A classic rivalry that’s become much more competitive lately.
- Maryland: The Terps always seem to play the Buckeyes tough for three quarters before the depth takes over.
- Michigan: The Game. It returns to Columbus in 2026. After a few years of high-stakes drama, there is nothing Buckeyes fans want more than to see the Wolverines leave the Shoe with a loss.
- Northwestern: Usually a disciplined game, but the talent gap is usually the story here.
- Oregon: This is the "new" Big Ten rivalry. With Oregon becoming a powerhouse in the conference, this matchup could easily have Big Ten Championship or Playoff implications.
Road Games:
- Indiana: The Hoosiers are the reigning Big Ten champs as of January 2026. A trip to Bloomington is no longer a "gimme" game. It’s a revenge match.
- Iowa: Kinnick Stadium at night is where dreams go to die. The Buckeyes will need a stout run defense to survive this trip.
- Nebraska: Depending on how their recruiting goes, this could be a trap game in Lincoln.
- USC: A cross-country flight to the LA Memorial Coliseum. This represents everything that’s changed about modern college football.
Why the 2026 Schedule is Different
In the old days, you’d play your division and maybe one big rival. Now? You’re playing Oregon and USC in the same year you have to face Michigan and Penn State. The 2026 schedule is a marathon.
The depth that Ryan Day has built is going to be tested. We saw last year that even a 12-win team can run out of gas if the offensive line doesn't hold up. That's why the returns of Luke Montgomery and Carson Hinzman are so vital. They’ve played in the big games. They know what it’s like to feel the pressure of the CFP.
Key Storylines to Watch
When you look at who does Ohio State play next, you have to look at the "why" behind the games.
- The Quarterback Battle: With the 2025 season closed, all eyes are on the battle for QB1. Whether it's a returning vet or a high-profile freshman, the Ball State game will be their first audition.
- The Texas Rematch: Most fans have September 12 circled in red. It’s a measuring stick game. If the Buckeyes win in Austin, they’ll likely be the #1 team in the country going into October.
- Special Teams Redemption: The commitment of Connor Hawkins is huge. After Jayden Fielding’s misses in the postseason, having a guy who went 18-for-22 at Baylor brings a lot of peace of mind.
- The New Big Ten Identity: Playing USC and Oregon in the same season is the new normal. The Buckeyes have to adapt to the different styles of play these West Coast teams bring to the Midwest.
Honestly, the 2026 schedule feels like a gauntlet designed by a madman. You start with a MAC tune-up, go straight into a cage match with Texas, and then dive into a Big Ten conference that just got a lot more crowded at the top.
Actionable Steps for Buckeyes Fans
If you're planning on following the Buckeyes this year, don't wait until August to get your ducks in a row.
First, check the ticket office now. Single-game tickets for the Ball State and Kent State games usually go on sale in the late spring or early summer, but the Texas game is already one of the most expensive secondary market tickets in the country. If you want to be in Austin, start looking at travel packages.
Second, keep an eye on the Spring Game. Usually held in mid-April, this is where the depth chart for the Ball State game actually gets built. You’ll get to see the new defensive schemes and whether the offensive line has fixed the pass-protection issues that plagued them against Miami.
Lastly, bookmark the official athletics calendar. While we know the opponents, the Big Ten and its TV partners (FOX, CBS, NBC) often wait until 6 to 12 days before a game to announce the exact kickoff time. If you’re traveling, keep your Saturday afternoons flexible.
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The path to the 2026 National Championship starts in the Shoe against Ball State, but the real test is that flight to Austin. Go Bucks.
Next Steps:
To prepare for the 2026 season, you should monitor the Ohio State Spring Game date (typically announced in February) to see the new roster in action. Additionally, if you plan on attending the road game at Texas, book your accommodations in Austin early, as hotel prices are expected to triple for that weekend.