Ohio State · Big TenOhio State opens 2026 with Texas trip before October road swing
The No. 1 Buckeyes get Ball State first, then a Sept. 12 night game at preseason top-five Texas. Iowa, Indiana and USC wait on the October road slate.
AUG 28, 2026
Ohio State opens its 2026 season against Ball State on Sept. 5 at 12:30 p.m. ET, then heads to Texas for a 7:30 p.m. ET road game on Sept. 12.
The Buckeyes are No. 1 in both preseason polls after going 12-2 overall and 9-0 in the Big Ten in 2025. Texas, coming off a 10-3 season, is No. 5 in the AP poll and No. 4 in the Coaches Poll. The Austin game is the early measuring stick between preseason top-five teams. Ball State went 4-8 in 2025, and Ohio State hosts Kent State on Sept. 19.
Ohio State begins Big Ten play against Illinois on Sept. 26 before going to Iowa on Oct. 3. After hosting Maryland on Oct. 10, the Buckeyes visit reigning national champion Indiana on Oct. 17 in a rematch of the previous season's Big Ten Championship, then travel to USC on Oct. 31.
The USC date carries a long gap: Ohio State has not played a road game against the Trojans since 2008.
Texas will draw the immediate attention, with Arch Manning, Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith among the players expected to be involved. Iowa, Indiana and USC are confirmed October road dates before November arrives.