Ohio State Football Schedule 2025

The Ohio State Buckeyes are gearing up for what promises to be another exciting season of college football in 2025. Head coach Ryan Day and his team are looking to build on their strong performances from previous seasons and establish themselves as one of the top teams in the nation. With a challenging schedule ahead, the Buckeyes will face a mix of both powerhouse opponents and some intriguing newcomers. Let’s break down their schedule, week by week, and analyze what fans can expect from each matchup.

Saturday, Aug. 30: vs. Texas

The 2025 season kicks off with a monumental matchup between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium. This game promises to be one of the most anticipated non-conference showdowns of the season.

Texas, under head coach Steve Sarkisian, has been on the rise in recent years and will be looking to continue their resurgence as a national contender. The Longhorns bring in a powerful offense, led by their quarterback, who is expected to be one of the best in the country. Ohio State, on the other hand, will be looking to defend its home turf with a high-powered offense of its own, led by Heisman contenders and star playmakers.

This matchup will also have an element of nostalgia for both programs, as Ohio State and Texas have faced off in memorable games in the past, including their national championship clash in the 2005 Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes will be looking to make a statement early in the season with a win over one of the top programs in the country.

Saturday, Sept. 6: vs. Grambling

In their second game of the season, the Buckeyes will face off against the Grambling State Tigers, an FCS opponent from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). This will be a tune-up game for Ohio State before the bulk of their Big Ten schedule begins.

Grambling, historically one of the most successful programs in the SWAC, will have an uphill battle in this game. While they will bring their usual strong, talented roster, it’s expected that Ohio State will have no trouble securing a win. For the Buckeyes, this game will be an opportunity to develop depth on the roster, give key backups some playing time, and continue to sharpen their game plan for tougher competition ahead.

Saturday, Sept. 13: vs. Ohio

The annual in-state rivalry game with Ohio University will be an exciting matchup for both teams. Ohio State has a rich history of dominating this series, but Ohio University will come into this game looking to cause an upset and make a statement. This game is also a chance for the Buckeyes to showcase their talent against an opponent from their home state and build on their growing reputation as one of the top programs in the country.

Ohio, under head coach Tim Albin, has been steadily improving over the years and has a strong football tradition. However, Ohio State will be heavy favorites in this game, and it’s likely that the Buckeyes will put together a comprehensive performance that will set the stage for their conference schedule.

Saturday, Sept. 20: BYE

After a fast start to the season, the Buckeyes will enjoy their first bye week in Week 4. This mid-September break will give the team some much-needed rest and an opportunity to assess their performance through the first three games of the season. With a tough conference slate coming up, the bye week will also allow Ohio State to focus on preparing for their next challenge, a road trip to Washington.

Saturday, Sept. 27: at Washington

The Buckeyes will travel to the West Coast to face the Washington Huskies in Week 5. This will be a tough test for Ohio State as they will be facing a high-powered offense led by a talented quarterback and a defense that can cause problems for opposing teams. Washington is expected to be a top contender in the Pac-12, and playing in Seattle is always a difficult challenge for visiting teams.

For Ohio State, this road game will serve as a real litmus test for their playoff aspirations. A win on the road against a ranked opponent would send a message to the rest of the country that the Buckeyes are ready for a championship run. This game will be one of the most important non-conference matchups of the season.

Saturday, Oct. 4: vs. Minnesota

The Buckeyes return to Ohio Stadium for their Big Ten opener against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Minnesota, under head coach P.J. Fleck, has become a solid program in the Big Ten, with a tough, physical style of play. However, Ohio State has historically dominated this matchup, and they will enter the game as heavy favorites.

The Buckeyes will be looking to start their conference schedule strong, and this game will provide an opportunity to work on their game plan for upcoming tougher Big Ten matchups. Ohio State’s talent should prove too much for Minnesota, but it’s important to note that the Golden Gophers have occasionally pulled off upsets in the past, so Ohio State will need to stay focused.

Saturday, Oct. 11: at Illinois

Ohio State will travel to Champaign to face the Illinois Fighting Illini in Week 7. Illinois, under head coach Bret Bielema, has shown improvement in recent years, especially on defense. However, this matchup will likely be another game where Ohio State’s superior talent shines through.

While Illinois will look to disrupt the Buckeyes’ offensive rhythm, Ohio State’s high-powered attack should be too much for the Illini to handle. That being said, the Buckeyes must avoid looking past Illinois and focus on maintaining their dominance as they move deeper into their Big Ten schedule.

Saturday, Oct. 18: at Wisconsin

Week 8 will see the Buckeyes head to Camp Randall Stadium to face the Wisconsin Badgers, one of the toughest environments in all of college football. Wisconsin is known for its bruising style of play, with a powerful running game and a physical defense. This game will be a serious test for Ohio State, and the Buckeyes will need to bring their best effort to survive this road test.

The Badgers are expected to have a strong team in 2025, and this matchup has all the makings of a classic Big Ten battle. The game will feature contrasting styles, with Ohio State’s speed and skill against Wisconsin’s physicality and power. Ohio State has been able to beat Wisconsin in recent years, but this game will likely be one of the most challenging on the schedule.

Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE

After their road trip to Wisconsin, Ohio State will enjoy their second bye week of the season in Week 9. This break will come at an ideal time, allowing the team to rest up and prepare for a tough November stretch. With several important games ahead, the Buckeyes will use this week to refine their strategies and focus on getting healthy.

Saturday, Nov. 1: vs. Penn State

Ohio State’s November schedule begins with a primetime showdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions. This game will be crucial for both teams as they jockey for playoff positioning. Penn State, under head coach James Franklin, is consistently one of the top teams in the Big Ten and has a strong roster, including a potent offense led by a dual-threat quarterback.

Ohio State and Penn State have had many memorable matchups over the years, and this game will be no exception. The Buckeyes will be looking to continue their dominance in the Big Ten and hold onto their position as the conference’s top team. This will likely be a high-stakes game with major implications for the College Football Playoff race.

Saturday, Nov. 8: at Purdue

The Buckeyes will travel to Ross-Ade Stadium to face the Purdue Boilermakers in Week 10. Purdue is always a tricky team to face, and they have a history of pulling off upset victories over ranked opponents, including Ohio State in recent years. While Purdue may not have the same level of talent as Ohio State, the Boilermakers’ high-powered passing game can give opposing defenses fits.

For the Buckeyes, it will be important to take this game seriously and avoid a letdown after the Penn State showdown. With a potential playoff berth on the line, Ohio State must remain focused on executing their game plan and securing another victory on the road.

Saturday, Nov. 15: vs. UCLA

Ohio State will return home to face the UCLA Bruins in Week 11. UCLA, a team that has historically been strong in the Pac-12, will present another challenging opponent for the Buckeyes. The Bruins are expected to have a solid team in 2025, but Ohio State’s talent and depth should prove to be the difference in this matchup.

This game will give the Buckeyes an opportunity to fine-tune their game plan as they head into their final two regular-season matchups, including their season finale against Michigan. Expect Ohio State to enter this game with the goal of building momentum and preparing for the crucial games ahead.

Saturday, Nov. 22: vs. Rutgers

In Week 12, the Buckeyes will face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, a program that has struggled to compete with the top teams in the Big Ten. Rutgers has made strides under head coach Greg Schiano but will likely face an uphill battle against Ohio State, who will be heavy favorites.

For the Buckeyes, this will be a chance to continue dominating their conference schedule and maintain their playoff push. Ohio State will need to stay sharp and avoid overlooking this matchup, as they set their sights on the season-ending showdown against Michigan.

Saturday, Nov. 29: at Michigan

The 2025 regular season concludes with the most important game of the year: The Game against the Michigan Wolverines. This rivalry is one of the most heated in all of college football, and both teams will be fighting for supremacy in the Big Ten. Michigan has been a strong contender under head coach Jim Harbaugh, and this game will likely determine the Big Ten Championship and playoff spots.

Ohio State and Michigan have both been top-tier programs in recent years, and the winner of this game will have major implications for the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes will need to bring their A-game to Ann Arbor, where Michigan will be looking to defend their home turf and continue their own playoff hopes.

The Ohio State Buckeyes’ 2025 football schedule is packed with exciting matchups and challenges. From the season opener against Texas to the season-ending showdown with Michigan, the Buckeyes will face some of the toughest teams in college football. As always, the goal for Ohio State will be to win the Big Ten and secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. With a talented roster and strong coaching staff, the Buckeyes are poised to make another run at a national championship in 2025.