Ohio State’s new black uniforms may already have a date circled, and the clue is sitting in the Team Shop.
The Buckeyes have been busy with changes all over the football program this offseason. Ohio Stadium is getting renovated, new turf is already in place, and the luxury boxes in the south end zone are still being finished up, though it would be surprising if they’re ready before Week 1.
Uniform-wise, Ohio State has also rolled out a fresh look. The base set brings back the gray sleeves fans have wanted, and the program now has all-scarlet, all-white and all-black options in the mix.
The black uniforms, at least based on what’s showing up online, could make their debut against Northwestern. On the Ohio State Team Shop, the Buckeyes are selling a hatpin for the Wildcats game that features Ohio State in a black helmet.
That matchup is set for November 14th, and it would be a little unusual for Ohio State to host a night game that deep into the season. It comes the week after the Oregon game, which is scheduled for a 3:30 pm kickoff. Historically, the Buckeyes have not wanted to host night games that late in the year.
Maybe that stance has loosened after Ohio State hosted a night playoff game against Tennesee have in 2024. The Buckeyes rolled in that one, hammering the Volunteers. Northwestern probably won’t be in much better shape when it comes to the Shoe later this fall.
Still, nothing is official yet. The hatpin could be a hint, but Ohio State has not confirmed when the black uniforms will actually be worn, and that remains in flux.
If the black set is going to make its first appearance, the ideal setting would be a night game. Otherwise, what’s the point?
The other alternate looks are still a mystery for now. Ohio State’s all-scarlet and all-white uniforms are expected to show up at some point this season, but there’s no word yet on when that will happen.
One possible spot for the all-white look would be the road game against USC. It will be the first time Ohio State plays in the Coliseum in almost two decades, and using those uniforms there would fit the idea of a new era of Big Ten football.
The Scarlet Rush uniforms against Oregon the next week would be another sharp option. The Ducks usually bring strong uniform combinations of their own, so an all-scarlet look would match that stage well. The only issue is whether Ohio State would want to break out alternate uniforms in back-to-back weeks.
One thing seems certain: as long as none of the alternates show up against TTUN in the final game of the season, the rest of the schedule is fair game.
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