Ohio State’s 12-game regular season slate comes with a lot more bite on paper than the one the Buckeyes saw in 2025, and the numbers behind each matchup tell a pretty clear story. With the opener only 12 days away, the schedule offers a different kind of test almost every week - from a friendly first look against a shaky pass defense to a late-season trip that could turn physical in a hurry.
Ball State’s biggest issue last year was through the air, and that’s where Ohio State should be able to make an early statement. The Cardinals gave up 226.8 passing yards per game in 2025, third-most in the MAC, which sets up a strong chance for Julian Sayin to settle in while building real game reps with new targets. Jeremiah Smith will get his touches, but this is also a chance to see other receivers, including Chris Henry Jr., against a defense that could leave room to operate.
Week 2 at Texas looks like the first real stress test. The Longhorns allowed just 103.9 rushing yards per game in 2025, a figure that points to a tougher afternoon for the Buckeyes on the ground.
Running the football was not easy for Ohio State last year, and it has to improve this season. With Arthur Smith stepping in as the new offensive coordinator and bringing a running-game background, that trip to Austin will say plenty about where the Buckeyes are early.
There’s also a clear warning sign attached to the Big Ten games that could swing on mistakes. Illinois forced 17 fumbles last year and recovered 10, a reminder that ball security will matter from the opening whistle in the conference opener. At home, a turnover can flip the entire feel of a game in a hurry, and Ohio State cannot afford to hand that kind of momentum away.
Iowa brings a different kind of problem. The Hawkeyes were stingy on money downs, allowing just a 33.9 percent conversion rate on third down and 23.8 percent on fourth down. That means the Buckeyes will need to stay ahead of the sticks and avoid asking too much on late downs if they want to move the ball in Iowa City.
Maryland gives Ohio State another chance to lean on the run game. The Terrapins gave up 175.6 rushing yards per game last season, fourth-most in the Big Ten, which makes this one a spot where the Buckeyes can show that the ground attack is more than just a side note. If that part of the offense is going to matter, games like this are where it has to show up.
Indiana comes with a very specific reminder from last December’s Big Ten Championship, when Ohio State went just 2-of-4 in the red zone against the Hoosiers. That kind of inefficiency cannot travel with the Buckeyes when they go to Bloomington this season.
The trip to USC carries its own kind of history. This will be Ohio State’s first visit to USC in 18 years, and the last time the Buckeyes played the Trojans at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum is still the reference point hanging over this one.
Oregon presents one of the toughest defensive numbers on the schedule. The Ducks allowed only 157.9 passing yards per game last season, and the expectation is that their defense will be very good again in 2026. That puts Ohio State’s offensive line right in the spotlight against a front that should make life difficult, and it may not be the last time these two teams see each other.
Northwestern’s numbers suggest a clear plan. The Wildcats ran for 185.9 yards per game while allowing 193.5 on the ground, and they threw for 160.2 yards per game while giving up 136.2 through the air. That points to a team that will want to attack Ohio State on the ground, so shutting that down could set up a strong defensive day for the Buckeyes.
And then there’s Nebraska, where the memory is still pretty loud. The last time Ohio State went to Lincoln in 2019, it rolled 49-7. With the Cornhuskers coming right before Michigan on this year’s schedule, anything close to that kind of result would be a huge one for the Buckeyes.
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A former Michigan standout spending time around Ohio State practice was always going to draw a reaction, but Jake Butts visit came with a little more than the usual rivalry spice. The Big Ten Network analyst left impressed by what he saw from the Buckeyes, suggesting the 2026 group has enough talent to keep the defense near the top of the sport even as it works to replace several key players who were just drafted.
The part that will linger with Ohio State fans, though, is Butts willingness to credit Matt Patricia for the units continued success. Patricia has already become a topic of debate in Columbus, and any praise attached to his name from someone with Butts background is likely to stir a fresh round of discussion about how much of the Buckeyes defensive outlook is rooted in coaching versus pure personnel. [Read more 🡒]
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What makes McCuin interesting is not just that he arrived with college reps, but that he has seemingly used them to separate himself from some of the younger options. He is not locked into anything yet, and there is still plenty of camp left for the picture to change, but his early push has made him a legitimate contender for the No. 2 role. For Ohio State, the question now is whether that veteran steadiness can hold up once the competition tightens. [Read more 🡒]
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For a program that leans on standards as much as talent, being voted captain carries real weight because it comes from inside the locker room rather than from the sideline. The group also reflects a balance across the roster, with playmakers, line anchors and defensive voices all stepping into bigger responsibilities as Ohio State heads into the season with leadership now officially in place. [Read more 🡒]