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SportsPreview
Column: The two games Iâm most excited for in 2026
TL;DR
Ohio State's 2026 football schedule features challenging matchups, including road games at Iowa, USC, and Nebraska, as well as home games against Oregon and Michigan. The season promises high-stakes competition for the Buckeyes and their fans.
Key points
- Ohio State's 2026 schedule is more challenging.
- Key road games include Iowa, USC, and Nebraska.
- Home games against Oregon and Michigan are highlights.
- The schedule aims to prepare the team for high-stakes competition.
- Comparison made to the 2006 Buckeyes' tough schedule.
Ohio State BuckeyesTexas LonghornsOregonMichigan
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a touchdown pass over Texas Longhorns defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau (3) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. Ohio State won 14-7. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Buckeyesâ 2026 schedule will make them much more battle-tested. Itâs not going to be a cakewalk through the Big Ten, and the non-conference schedule doesnât have any FCS layups.
This year, the regular season is going to be more fun and more rewarding for Ohio State and its fans. There will be a lot of high-stakes games, with something to prove in multiple of them. Those are good things. Even the 2006 Buckeyes had a tough schedule to get to 12-0. That team was battle-tested going into the National Championship.
There are several games this season that will be awesome to watch. With the major question marks surrounding this team, many of these games could be hyper-competitive. Road games at Iowa, USC, and Nebraska. Home games against Oregon and Michigan. Thatâs just the start.
Two teams Ohio State plays this season I havenât even mentioned yet, but they are my two favorite games on the schedule. Yes, they may be the obvious favorite games, but itâs not for the obvious reasonsâŠ
First up is Week 2 at Texas. There will be talent all over the field in Austin. Iâm hoping that game isnât just the Saturday night game of the week on ABC, but also where College Gameday goes that week.
Itâs been four years since Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit have called an Ohio State regular season game. That wait should end in Week 2, when the Buckeyes and Longhorns collide in the Longhorn State.
Julian Sayin and Arch Manning are going to be two of the top prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft. The spotlight will be on both of them in this game. These two quarterbacks were so green when they faced off in Week 1 last season. Their inexperience showed at times in that game, but they both have gotten so much better since that game.
Q&A
What are the key games in Ohio State's 2026 football schedule?
Key games include road matchups against Iowa, USC, and Nebraska, along with home games against Oregon and Michigan.
How does Ohio State's 2026 schedule compare to previous years?
The 2026 schedule is expected to be more challenging, lacking easy wins and featuring several high-stakes games.
What impact will the tough schedule have on Ohio State's performance?
A tougher schedule may better prepare Ohio State for critical games, similar to the 2006 team that was battle-tested before the National Championship.
When does Ohio State's 2026 football season start?
The exact start date for Ohio State's 2026 football season has not been specified, but it typically begins in late August.