With the Ohio Bobcats set to defend their MAC crown in 2025, the schedule is filled with close matchups. Well, it is surely guaranteed to provide a thrilling season. Supporters are keen to see how Ohio will react to its target role as the reigning champions. As the season goes on, the Bobcats look to show that last year was no accident. And with the schedule they have coming up, they’ll have plenty of opportunities to make their mark.
2025 Ohio Football Schedule
Here is a breakdown of the Ohio Bobcats’ 2025 football schedule. Every game is set to be a stepping stone as they head toward yet another possible MAC championship. The Bobcats have a series of challenging out-of-conference teams and hot MAC rivals lined up.
- Sat., Aug. 30: vs. Holy Cross (Home)
- Sat., Sep. 6: at Maryland (Away)
- Sat., Sep. 20: at Mississippi State (Away)
- Sat., Sep. 27: vs. San Diego State (Home)
- Sat., Oct. 4: vs. Miami (OH) (Home)
- Sat., Oct. 11: at Eastern Michigan (Away)
- Sat., Oct. 18: at Ohio (Away)
- Sat., Oct. 25: vs. Ball State (Home)
- Wed., Nov. 5: at Toledo (Away)
- Wed., Nov. 12: at Massachusetts (Away)
- Tue., Nov. 18: vs. Western Michigan (Home)
- Fri., Nov. 28: vs. Kent State (Home)
Breaking Down the Slate: What to Expect in 2025
The Bobcats’ season gets underway on Aug. 30 with a home opener against Holy Cross. A solid win here will establish the tone for the rest of the season as Ohio starts defending its title. The Bobcats are going to have to open with a bang against a talented Holy Cross squad that will want to make an early statement. Home crowd noise may be just what the Bobcats need to gain some momentum.
The first big road test comes on Sept. 6 as Ohio heads to Maryland. A non-conference matchup against a Power Five team will be a tough early-season challenge. Although Maryland has had its ups and downs in recent years, this game will be a good measuring stick.
Ohio will then host Mississippi State on Sept. 20, with the Bobcats again facing one of the stronger SEC teams in a difficult stretch of two games on the road. With the two road games consecutively, these first non-conference games will show valuable information on how ready Ohio is for the upcoming season.
The Bobcats return home next for two key contests. On Sept. 27, they play San Diego State, a team that’s been a tough draw in the Mountain West Conference. The home fans will be critical in helping the Bobcats get an edge, and it’s a game that will have major implications for their early-season ranking.
The first of Ohio’s conference games arrives on Oct. 4, when Ohio welcomes Miami (OH) to the “Battle of the Bricks,” perhaps the biggest matchup on the MAC slate. Expect this to be a battle that is fiercely contested, as Miami (OH) is one of the top programs in the MAC year in and year out.
Following Miami (OH), Ohio travels for two key MAC contests. On Oct. 11, they face Eastern Michigan in a game that will have major ramifications for the standings. The following week, they travel to Ohio for a rivalry game on Oct. 18. The Bobcats have performed well in recent seasons against their MAC East counterparts. However, this road game will be tough, particularly if both teams are contending for an invitation to the MAC Championship.
Coming home on Oct. 25, Ohio will host Ball State, another crucial conference foe. The Bobcats must make a statement here as they work towards the second half of the season. A mid-week matchup against Toledo on Nov. 5 will be a critical contest, as both sides will be fighting for position in the MAC standings. Ohio’s away games against Massachusetts on Nov. 12 and Western Michigan on Nov. 18 will also be pivotal, as the Bobcats must play well to earn a solid finish to the season.
The regular season wraps up on Nov. 28 with a home game against Kent State. This game will likely have huge implications for the MAC East title and could determine whether Ohio advances to the MAC Championship Game once again.
Where Does the Bobcats’ Title Defense Begin?
For Ohio, the path to repeating as MAC champion starts with the home opener against Holy Cross on Aug. 30. The Bobcats will hope to have their defense, which was one of the conference’s best a year ago, firing on all cylinders right from the start.
The non-conference early-season games will prove crucial in determining the tone of the remainder of the season. If Ohio can take care of its business in these games, it’ll go into the middle of the MAC schedule with confidence.
The question is how Ohio will be able to recover from any early-season struggles, especially with such grueling road games against Maryland and Mississippi State. But if they can navigate these obstacles, the Bobcats will have an open road to again vie for the MAC championship.
KEEP READING: Ohio 2025 Football Schedule: Where Does the Bobcats’ Title Defense Begin?
The Oct. 4 matchup against Miami (OH) will probably be a key game for MAC East positioning, and Ohio will have to play its A-game to avoid any missteps. If they are able to dominate the most important matchups within the MAC, their opportunity to repeat as champions will be in sight.
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