when is ohio state's first game
Ohio State's First Game in 2026: What We Know So Far Ohio State Buckeyes football's 2026 schedule lists their earliest game as September 26, 2026, vs. Illinois in Columbus, Ohio. Times are listed as TBA (to be announced), typical for early-season college football matchups as TV networks finalize broadcasts.
This home opener kicks off a packed Big Ten slate, building excitement after last year's high-stakes matchups like the Texas opener and Michigan rivalry finale.
Schedule Highlights
Here's a quick breakdown of the first few 2026 games from official sources:
Date| Opponent| Location| Time
---|---|---|---
Sep 26| vs Illinois| Columbus, Ohio| TBA 1
Oct 3| at Iowa| Iowa City, Iowa| TBA 1
Oct 10| vs Maryland| Columbus, Ohio| TBA 1
Fans are buzzing on forums like Reddit about whether this could be another playoff push year, especially with road tests at Indiana and USC later.
Trending Context & Fan Chatter
- Big Ten Buzz : With recent portal moves and coaching stability, expectations are sky-high—some predict a top-4 finish if the O-line gels early.
- What’s TBA Mean? Networks like FOX or NBC often lock in times 4-6 weeks out; expect noon or 3:30 PM ET slots for prime viewing.
- Ticket Talk : Eleven Warriors notes season tickets go fast—grab 'em via OhioStateBuckeyes.com if you're heading to Columbus.
"First game vibes are unreal—hoping for a blowout to set the tone!" – Reddit r/OSU thread
TL;DR : Mark your calendars for Sep 26 vs. Illinois —that's Ohio State's 2026 football opener, though kickoff time is still pending.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.