OSU Football is on deck, and that means Ryan Day’s squad is heading into another big year. Ohio State football has been one of the premier programs in the country for some time, so expectations will be sky high. As a program that has received so much attention, the team will have a target on its back.
Here’s a look at the biggest opponents and the biggest upset risks on the schedule.
Top 3 Biggest Opponents On OSU’s Schedule
The Indiana Hoosiers will be arguably the biggest opponent on the schedule, and some might call it one of the biggest matchups in the entire league in 2026. Of course, questions surround whether Curt Cignetti will be able to pivot away from Fernando Mendoza cleanly. As such, that is why the matchup won’t be one of the toughest, but it will be one of the biggest.
The Michigan Wolverines will be the last matchup of the season, and depending on Kyle Whittingham’s ability to start his tenure on the right foot, it could be a monumental matchup with playoffs on the line. The Wolverines have been one of the most covered teams in sports in the last six months for all of the wrong reasons, so plenty of fans will be tuned in to see if Michigan can redeem itself against OSU.
As the first matchup of the season, Ball State won’t be the toughest game of the year by any stretch after a 4-8 2025 outing, but it will be one of the most eagerly anticipated. OSU will be the heavy favorite, but anything less than a blowout could cause a sense of unease that could follow the team for weeks.
3 Games Where Ryan Day’s Squad Will Fall Short
The Oregon Ducks, a program that has dominated in recent years with 13+ wins in each of its last two seasons, will give Ryan Day his toughest test of the season. History has shown that Dan Lanning is the opposite of a rollover coach and Day will be tested. Luckily, the game will take place at Ohio State.
If Arch Manning delivers as the hype has indicated, Ohio State will have a tough task against the Texas Longhorns. In 2025, he delivered 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and all signs point to numbers improving in 2026. Day’s defense will have its hands full.
The Illinois Fighting Illini will be a tough task with 9+ wins in each of the last two seasons. If Ohio State shows any kind of sluggishness coming into the year, the Fighting Illini have a chance to end Day’s September on the wrong note. Julian Sayin is coming off a season in which he led the FBS in completion percentage, so Ohio State won’t get any free possessions.
Schedule Overview
In the end, Ohio State has little reason to worry. Ryan Day is back once again, and the program has such a long run of excellence that fans are sure to get a quality season with a playoff berth. Julian Sayin is an NFL quarterback in disguise, so expect big things for the team this season.
There will be struggles in certain moments, but the team will come through as it always has, with the last three-loss season taking place in 2008.
Here’s a look at the full schedule, courtesy of ESPN.
| Day | Opponent | Time (EST) |
| Sat, Sep 5 | vs Ball State | 12:30 PM |
| Sat, Sep 12 | @ Texas | 7:30 PM |
| Sat, Sep 19 | vs Kent State | 12:00 PM |
| Sat, Sep 26 | vs Illinois | TBD |
| Sat, Oct 3 | @ Iowa | TBD |
| Sat, Oct 10 | vs Maryland | TBD |
| Sat, Oct 17 | @ Indiana | TBD |
| Sat, Oct 31 | @ USC | TBD |
| Sat, Nov 7 | vs Oregon | TBD |
| Sat, Nov 14 | vs Northwestern | TBD |
| Sat, Nov 21 | @ Nebraska | TBD |
| Sat, Nov 28 | vs Michigan | 12:00 PM |
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