After a dynamic run to the National Championship, it is time to start looking at the 2025-26 Ohio State Buckeyes team. After a 14-2 record in the 2024 season, the Buckeyes look to aim for another championship trophy to put at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Let’s look at the Non-Conference Schedule for the 2025-26 Buckeyes.
Week One: vs Texas
This is the rematch of a barn burner College Football Playoff Semifinals game from this past season. Neither team comes into this game with a returning starting quarterback as the Longhorns will look to the former number one overall prospect Arch Manning to lead them back to a College Football Playoff. Texas also will return running back CJ Baxter after he suffered a season-ending injury during an early season practice. Texas returns Michael Taffe, Anthony Hill Jr, and the Freshman Player of the Year in Colin Simmons. The Longhorns welcome former Buckeye defensive lineman Hero Kanu who transferred to Austin over the offseason, as well as Travis Shaw (UNC), Cole Brevard (Purdue), and Brad Spence (Arkansas) to round out the defense. This should be another battle between two of the most historic college football programs, this time live in Columbus, Ohio.
Week Two: vs Grambling State
Not too much to talk about in week two as it should be a cupcake game and possibly the Ohio State debut of five-star freshman gunslinger Tavien St-Clair. The Buckeyes should not take the Tigers lightly as conference foe Oregon struggled with fellow FCS member Idaho in their season opener this past season. But if everything goes to plan this should be an easy victory for the Buckeyes and a learning experience for the young team.
Week Three: vs Ohio University
Another easy game for the Buckeyes, the Bobcats recently lost head coach Tim Albin to Charlotte over the offseason and promoted offensive coordinator Brian Smith to full time head coach after their bowl victory against Jacksonville State. The Bobcats return their starting quarterback in Parker Navarro and Linebacker Shay Taylor as the notables to watch for Ohio.
The non-conference schedule is where we will learn how the rest of the season could pan out. Injuries will happen, there will be depth chart risers, and schemes will all be determined. Whether it is a 3-0 record or 2-1, the Buckeyes are back on the gridiron in 200 days.
AJ is currently a freshman at Bowling Green State University. He has been a sports fan and Ohio State fan since he was a kid, and has been covering sports since 2020. He was a student manager for his Boy’s Basketball team for two seasons where the team won back to back league championships. AJ runs his own podcast called Just Talkin Sports, where he interviews athletes from all sports. He has over 1,800 plays on Spotify and 300 followers on Instagram. AJ plans to study Sport Management and minor in Journalism while also becoming a student manager for BGSU.