League: NCAAF Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Ohio State football faces toughest schedule ahead in 2026 season

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 16, 2026, 10:59 PM

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

Ohio State football faces toughest schedule ahead in 2026 season

Summary

Ohio State football is set to tackle a challenging schedule in the 2026 season, with six ranked opponents according to ESPN's FPI. The Buckeyes will face top teams like Texas, Oregon, Michigan, and USC, creating significant hurdles early in the season. This demanding lineup includes road games against Indiana, USC, and Oregon. Analyst Bill Bender stated that the strength of this schedule is unprecedented, which could lead to multiple losses, a rarity for the program. Despite these challenges, expectations remain high for Ohio State to contend for the Big Ten Title and a spot in the College Football Playoff with a talented returning roster.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Ohio State's schedule includes six top-25 ranked opponents.
•Key opponents include Texas, Oregon, and USC.
•Analyst Bill Bender describes the schedule as unprecedented.
•Expectations are high for playoff contention despite challenges.
•Ohio State's last season with three losses was in 2011.

Latest Updates

10:59 PMYahoo Sports — College insider on Ohio State schedule: 'It's just a perfect storm'

What they're saying

"
Ohio State faces one of the hardest schedules in the nation, even ranked No. 1 by ESPN's FPI. Bill Bender of 'The Sporting News' discusses.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

NCAAF College Sports