The Big Ten dropped its 2026 football schedules on Tuesday, and if you're looking for the gauntlet among the league’s powerhouses, Ohio State might be staring down the toughest path of them all.
But if there’s one thing we know about the Buckeyes, it’s that they don’t shy away from a challenge. After falling short of the national title game in 2025, the mission is clear: get back to the sport’s biggest stage for the first time since 2024. And head coach Ryan Day has made it crystal clear-he’s not just chasing wins; he’s chasing legacy.
“Woody Hayes is the last one to win multiple national championships at Ohio State,” Day said recently on The Steam Room podcast with Charles Barkley. “That’s something I’ve now kind of set for myself-to be the next head coach to win multiple national championships at Ohio State.”
That’s not just coach-speak. Day’s vision is backed by the school’s leadership, including athletic director Ross Bjork, who made it known this past fall just how much confidence he has in the man running the show in Columbus.
“It has been a true pleasure to work alongside Coach Day over the past year,” Bjork said. “Coach leads an amazing program and anchors a great culture of academic success, socially responsible young men, a championship level of performance, and provides leadership that is expected here at Ohio State.”
That alignment at the top is critical-especially heading into a season like this. The Buckeyes aren’t easing into anything.
With a schedule that includes road trips to Texas, Iowa, USC, Indiana, and Nebraska, plus home dates against Oregon, Michigan, and Maryland, there’s no room to coast. Every week is a test.
And the talent? It’s there.
Quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith are both back, bringing firepower to an offense that should be one of the most electric in the country. But talent alone won’t be enough.
Not with this schedule. Not in this version of the Big Ten.
Here’s how the Buckeyes’ 2026 slate shapes up:
Ohio State 2026 Football Schedule
- Week 1: vs. Ball State - *Sept.
5 | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH)*
A season opener that should give the Buckeyes a chance to set the tone early.
- Week 2: at Texas - Sept. 12 | Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, TX) Circle this one. A marquee non-conference showdown in one of college football’s most hostile environments.
This will be an early litmus test for Sayin and the offense.
- Week 3: vs. Kent State - *Sept.
19 | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH)*
A chance to reset after a tough road trip and fine-tune before conference play ramps up.
- Week 4: vs. Illinois - *Sept.
26 | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH)*
The Big Ten slate begins with a home matchup against an improving Illinois squad.
- Week 5: at Iowa - Oct. 3 | Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City, IA) Kinnick at night? That place is a trap for top teams.
Expect a slugfest in one of the conference’s most unpredictable venues.
- Week 6: vs. Maryland - *Oct.
10 | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH)*
Maryland’s speed on offense can cause problems, but this is one Ohio State should handle at home.
- Week 7: at Indiana - Oct. 17 | Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, IN) A road trip that’s all about staying focused and taking care of business.
- Week 8: BYE - *Rest and reset before the stretch run. * The timing here is perfect. A breather before two of the most high-profile games on the schedule.
- Week 9: at USC - Oct. 31 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles, CA) Halloween in L.A. and a clash with the Trojans. This one has playoff implications written all over it.
Expect fireworks.
- Week 10: vs. Oregon - *Nov.
7 | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH)*
A heavyweight bout in the Shoe.
Oregon’s physicality and speed will test both lines of scrimmage.
- Week 11: vs. Northwestern - *Nov.
14 | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH)*
A needed moment to recalibrate after two emotional weeks.
But don’t sleep on Northwestern-they’ve pulled off bigger upsets before.
- Week 12: at Nebraska - Nov. 21 | Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, NE) Another tough road environment. Nebraska’s rebuild is gaining momentum, and the Huskers will be looking to make a statement.
- Week 13: vs. Michigan - *Nov.
28 | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH)*
The Game.
No matter what the records are, this one always matters. But with playoff stakes likely on the line, expect this year’s edition to be as intense as ever.
There’s no sugarcoating it-this schedule is a gauntlet. But Ohio State isn’t just trying to survive the Big Ten; they’re trying to dominate it. With a coach chasing history, a roster loaded with talent, and a fanbase that expects nothing less than a title run, the Buckeyes are heading into 2026 with purpose.
Now it’s time to see if they can turn that purpose into a championship.