The Ohio State football schedule for the 2026 season is officially out, and the Buckeyes have a gauntlet next fall.

Ohio State’s path is loaded for its 2026 campaign as the Big Ten released its schedules Tuesday night. It starts with Ball State coming to Columbus to open the season, but ramps up quickly. In Week 2, Ohio State heads to Austin to face Texas on September 12, a road trip that will set the tone much like a year ago. Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns will be under immense pressure to win at home. 

The schedule never really lets up as the Buckeyes will travel to Iowa in Week 5 and Indiana in Week 7, before heading west to USC in Week 9. That stretch alone is tough sledding, but the most difficult portion of the season comes in the middle, where Ohio State plays at Indiana, hits a bye week, then goes to USC and hosts Oregon. Those three games, spanning four weeks, hold the indicators to Ohio State’s season. 

There won’t be any arguments about where the Buckeyes stand when November arrives. This is a schedule that removes debate. Ohio State sees six teams that were ranked at some point last season, including Texas, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Oregon, and Michigan.

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 Campaign is here 📍
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— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 27, 2026

The Buckeyes travel to Lincoln to face Nebraska before ending the regular season at home against Michigan on November 28, a spot that could prove tricky with rivalry stakes and postseason implications looming. Facing Nebraska the week before Michigan poses as a trap game for Ohio State. 

Even at 9-3, the Buckeyes would have the type of body of work that warrants national respect and a playoff argument, though that’s not the mindset inside the program. The standard is much higher in Columbus. Not to mention, the talent returning for the Scarlet and Gray gives Ohio State the chance to win double-digit games. 

As Arthur Smith steps in as the new offensive coordinator, the Buckeyes bring back significant production on that side of the ball. Julian Sayin returns at quarterback, Bo Jackson anchors the running game, and Jeremiah Smith headlines a wide receiver group loaded with weapons.

Ohio State also adds Kyle Parker from LSU, welcomes Chris Henry out of high school, and gets Brandon Innis back, giving the Buckeyes no shortage of options offensively. They’re going to need every ounce of that high-octane attack to navigate this schedule.

Defensively, Matt Patricia is back for his second season, and while there will be new faces in the mix, Ohio State expects to remain solid on that side of the ball. 

Ohio State will enter the 2026 season as one of the top teams in the country, and this schedule ensures they will be tested. For now, this is Ohio State’s schedule. Stay tuned to The Silver Bulletin for continued updates and coverage throughout the spring.