Joel Klatt names three Ohio State games that will shape the CFB season

It sure seems like Ohio State takes part in more big-time college football games than any other program almost every single year. Of course, having the annual donnybrook against Michigan helps that, and now that the Big Ten has expanded with other great programs, there isn’t any shortage of must-see television-type games. Oh, and despite what other uneducated fans of other teams say, the OSU program does go out and try to schedule at least one major intersectional game in the nonconference almost every year.

And while the schedule wasn’t as daunting as it could have been last year, especially in the middle of the season en route to a 12-0 regular season, the Buckeyes have one of the toughest schedules you’ll find anywhere in the country in 2026. That means there will be some slobberknockers this year, too.

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But don’t take my word for it, let’s check in with Fox College Football’s Joel Klatt, who is one of the most unbiased and insightful college football commentators you’ll find anywhere in the Milky Way Galaxy. He recently identified ten games that will shape the 2026 college football season, and he has three of those ten games featuring the Scarlet and Gray.

So which three games does Klatt think could be pivotal for not only Ohio State’s season, but also make a mark on the country? He sees the game at Texas on Sept. 12, at Indiana on Oct. 17, and vs. Michigan at home on Nov. 28 as the ones everyone should pay attention to.