Ryan Day and the Buckeyes just got a look at their 2026 road map-and it’s a beast. The Big Ten dropped its full schedule on Thursday, and let’s just say Ohio State’s path to the postseason isn’t short on landmines. According to CBS Sports, it might be the toughest slate in the conference, and maybe the most brutal of Day’s tenure in Columbus.
Let’s walk through it.
Ohio State opens the season on September 5 at home against Ball State-a soft launch, sure. But things escalate quickly.
On September 12, the Buckeyes head to Austin for a marquee rematch with Texas. That’s a heavyweight bout early in the year, and it sets the tone for a schedule that won’t let up.
From there, Kent State rolls into Columbus on September 19, followed by the start of Big Ten play against Illinois at home on September 26. Then comes a trip to Iowa on October 3-never an easy place to play.
Kinnick Stadium has a reputation for swallowing top teams whole, especially in night games. No word yet on kickoff time, but if it’s under the lights, buckle up.
Maryland visits Columbus on October 10, and then it’s off to Bloomington on October 17 to face Indiana. After that, the Buckeyes get their only bye of the season on October 24-a well-timed breather before the final stretch.
And that final stretch? It’s a gauntlet.
Halloween weekend sends Ohio State to Los Angeles for a showdown with USC on October 31. Then it’s back home for a November 7 clash with Oregon-another top-tier opponent that brings playoff-level intensity.
Northwestern visits on November 14, but there’s no coasting to the finish. The Buckeyes hit the road again on November 21 to face Nebraska, then close the regular season with The Game-Michigan comes to Columbus on November 28, the Thursday before Thanksgiving.
That’s five road games, including Texas, Iowa, Indiana, USC, and Nebraska. Home games against Oregon and Michigan bring the star power. And if you’re counting ranked matchups, CBS Sports says five of these teams could be in the preseason top 10.
But here’s the thing-fans aren’t buying the hype just yet.
After a 2025 season where Ohio State cruised through a relatively soft schedule only to get bounced by Miami in the playoff opener, the skepticism is real. Social media lit up with fans questioning just how tough this slate really is.
Some pointed out that teams like Nebraska, USC, and Iowa don’t exactly strike fear the way they used to. Others did the quick math and saw four or five truly tough games-not the murderers’ row it’s being billed as.
One fan summed it up bluntly: “This is a manageable schedule for Ohio State. You are Ohio State.”
That’s the heart of it. The Buckeyes have long been expected to handle big-time opponents.
The standard in Columbus isn’t just making the playoff-it’s winning it. And after last year’s early exit, the narrative around strength of schedule feels a little hollow to some.
Still, there’s no denying the stakes in 2026.
Ryan Day returns with quarterback Julian Sayin and elite receiver Jeremiah Smith, two key pieces who’ll carry a lot of the offensive load after several stars left for the NFL. On the other side of the ball, Matt Patricia remains at the helm of the defense after a promising first season as coordinator.
The talent is there. The coaching staff is largely intact.
The schedule? It’s loaded with opportunities to prove this team belongs in the national title conversation.
But that’s the catch-opportunities don’t mean much if you don’t cash them in. The pressure’s on Day and his team to not just survive this slate, but to thrive in it. Because the margin for error in Columbus is razor-thin, and the expectations never take a bye week.