The Big Ten isn't doing Ohio State any favors in 2026-and that’s exactly how the Buckeyes like it.
After a 2025 slate that gave Ohio State a relatively smooth ride through the middle of the season, this upcoming campaign is shaping up to be a different beast entirely. Sure, they’re still only making one trip to the West Coast, but the context around that trip? Let’s just say it’s part of a brutal three-week gauntlet that could define the entire season.
Let’s dive into it.
The Early Warning Signs
The first major test comes early-September 12 in Austin, where Ohio State will face a Texas team led by Arch Manning and loaded with talent. That’s a marquee matchup, no question. But it’s not the only landmine on the schedule.
Fast forward to October 3, and the Buckeyes head to Iowa City. Now, that might not jump off the page at first glance, but Kinnick Stadium is no joke.
It’s been a house of horrors for visiting teams, and Ohio State fans still remember 2017, when the Hawkeyes stunned Urban Meyer’s squad in one of the most lopsided losses of his tenure. This year’s Iowa team might not have the same national buzz, but don’t sleep on that trip-it’s a classic Big Ten trap game.
The Defining Stretch: Indiana, USC, Oregon
But the real story-the stretch that could make or break the Buckeyes’ playoff hopes-starts October 17 in Bloomington.
Yes, that Bloomington.
Indiana has never hosted a game of this magnitude. The Hoosiers have been building quietly, and now they get Ohio State at home in what’s shaping up to be the biggest game in program history. It’s a classic prove-it moment for both teams-Indiana trying to show it belongs in the upper tier of the new-look Big Ten, and Ohio State looking to assert dominance in a conference that’s as deep as it’s ever been.
Then comes the trip to the Coliseum on October 31. Halloween night.
USC. Prime time.
The Trojans have gone all-in on this season, stacking their roster with elite talent and making it clear that anything short of a playoff berth is a disappointment. The Buckeyes will be coming off a bye week, which helps, but this is a heavyweight fight on the road against a team with everything to prove.
And just when you think they might get a breather? Oregon comes to Columbus on November 7.
The Ducks are the defending national champions, and they’ve earned every bit of that title. Physical, fast, and deep on both sides of the ball, Oregon represents the kind of challenge that tests every phase of a program.
This one’s at home, but don’t expect any favors. The Buckeyes will need to be at their absolute best to survive this three-week stretch with their playoff hopes intact.
Lights, Cameras, Pressure
Given the stakes and the matchups, expect all three of those games-Indiana, USC, and Oregon-to be featured in prime broadcast windows. The Indiana and Oregon games are likely noon kickoffs on FOX, anchoring the network’s pregame coverage.
The USC showdown? That’s tailor-made for NBC’s primetime slot.
These aren’t just big games-they’re national showcases. And that’s exactly where Ohio State wants to be.
Buckeyes Built for the Big Stage
This is the kind of schedule that separates contenders from pretenders. Three straight weeks against playoff-caliber opponents, two of them on the road, and all of them with major postseason implications.
It’s a gauntlet, no doubt. But it’s also why top-tier talent continues to flock to Columbus.
The Buckeyes don’t shy away from the spotlight-they seek it out.
Ryan Day’s team will have to earn everything in 2026. But if they navigate this stretch successfully, they won’t just be playoff-bound-they’ll be battle-tested in a way few teams can match.
The Big Ten didn’t go easy on Ohio State. And that’s just the way the Buckeyes like it.