As a lifelong fan and someone who has followed Ohio State football through more seasons than I care to admit, the annual release of the schedule is an event in itself. It’s a blueprint for the emotional rollercoaster of the fall, a map of potential glory and heartbreak. This year’s slate is no different, packed with narratives that will define the season. While my day job often involves analyzing performance metrics across different sports—I was just reviewing a volleyball stat line where Arisu Ishikawa notched a triple-double with 11 points, 13 digs, and 16 receptions, a testament to all-around, game-controlling prowess—that same lens of looking for complete, impactful performances is exactly how I view the Buckeyes’ upcoming campaign. It’s not about one superstar; it’s about which units can deliver that kind of comprehensive dominance when the lights are brightest.
The non-conference schedule offers a fascinating, tiered challenge. The opener against Southern Miss is a classic tune-up, a chance to work out the kinks in front of a home crowd that’s been starving for action since January. I’ll be watching the new-look offensive line like a hawk here; cohesion there is non-negotiable for the dreams this team harbors. Then comes the massive, early-season pivot point: the road trip to face the Texas Longhorns in Week 2. Frankly, this is a game that could echo through the entire College Football Playoff conversation. A win in Austin instantly stamps this Ohio State team as a national contender and provides a résumé bullet point that few others will be able to match. A loss isn’t catastrophic, but it puts immense pressure on running the table in the Big Ten. The atmosphere will be hostile, the talent level elite—it’s the kind of September barometer we rarely get. Following that with Western Michigan should offer a respite, but after the Texas trip, you worry about a let-down. Coach Day’s ability to manage the emotional energy of this first month will be critical.
Of course, the heart of the season lies within the Big Ten, and this year it feels heavier, more consequential than ever. The conference is a gauntlet now, and the East Division, while technically gone, has left its rivalries intact. The game at Oregon on October 12th is arguably the second-most important on the schedule. The Ducks, with their high-flying offense, will be gunning for a statement win in their new league, and Autzen Stadium is a brutal place to play. I have a strong preference for how Ohio State needs to win this one: with physicality. You can’t get into a pure track meet with them. You have to control the clock, win the line of scrimmage, and make them uncomfortable. It’s a defensive coordinator’s nightmare, but also a chance for that unit, loaded with future NFL talent, to make its own national statement. Sandwiched around that are tricky road tests at Nebraska and Penn State. Lincoln can be sneaky-tough, but the White Out in Happy Valley is a different beast entirely. We’ve seen talented Buckeye teams stumble there before. I believe this year’s team has the veteran leadership to navigate that noise, but it requires a near-flawless performance from the quarterback, whomever that ends up being.
And then, there’s The Game. Michigan comes to Columbus on November 30th. After the last three years, everything—every practice, every snap, every film session—feels like it builds toward this one. The narrative is inescapable. The rivalry has shifted, and the Buckeyes are squarely in the role of the hunter, not the hunted, for the first time in a while. That brings a different kind of pressure. The Horseshoe needs to be an absolute cauldron that day. Personally, I think the psychological edge might actually benefit Ohio State this time. The hunger is palpable, and sometimes playing with a chip on your shoulder is more powerful than defending a crown. But none of that matters if you can’t stop the run and protect the football. It’s cliché, but in this game, it’s gospel.
Looking at the full 12-game journey, I count at least five, maybe six, contests that could genuinely go either way depending on which version of the Buckeyes shows up. That’s the nature of elite college football today. The margin for error is almost zero. The key, much like Ishikawa’s triple-double, will be achieving balance and excellence in all three phases. You need the explosive offensive plays, but you also need the special teams to flip a field or make a clutch kick. You need the defense to create two or three game-changing turnovers in the big games. My projection? I see a floor of 10-2, which would feel disappointing given the talent, and a ceiling of 12-0. The most likely path, I suspect, involves one regular-season stumble—perhaps on the road at Oregon or Penn State—followed by a cathartic victory over Michigan to win the Big Ten East and head to Indianapolis. From there, it’s a new season. But it all starts with navigating this brutal, beautiful, and utterly compelling schedule. Buckle up; it’s going to be a ride.