The Ohio State football team has one of the most difficult schedules in all of college football. The Buckeyes will host Oregon and Michigan, then add in trips to Texas, USC, Indiana, and Iowa. This schedule is challenging, but it also sets up some must-see TV.
With fewer than 100 days until the start of the college football season, ESPN’s Bill Connelly decided to give us 10 must-see games of the coming year. Ohio State made the list three times, and it realistically could have had up to five games in that top-10.
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The Buckeyes’ trip to Southern California to face the Trojans did not make the list, while North Dakota State at UNLV did. Anytime Ohio State and USC are opponents on the field, it’s going to grab attention. Two of the biggest brands in all of college football and a history of Rose Bowl battles set this one apart. However, Connelly didn’t see it as making the list.
The other omission? The Game. Almost every time the Buckeyes and Wolverines take the field in late November, there are national implications concerning the outcome. It is the greatest rivalry in all of sports, but maybe that one is a given, and why it was left off the list. Here’s a look at the three Ohio State games that did make the list and why.
No. 6 – Oregon at Ohio State
Aug 31, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; The Oregon Ducks opening game helmet has added a #5 sticker in honor of Khyree Jackson before the game against the Idaho Vandals at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports
For the past 12 years or so, Oregon and Ohio State have had some epic battles. The two teams have faced each other 12 times, with the Buckeyes coming out on top in 10 of those matchups. The last time Oregon visited Columbus, the Ducks upset Ryan Day‘s team by running all over Kerry Coombs’ defense. Both teams could very well be ranked in the top five when they square off in early November.
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No. 3 – Ohio State at Indiana
Sep 6, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Lee Beebe Jr. (29) and wide receiver Jonathan Brady (0) celebrate after a touchdown during the first half against the Kennesaw State Owls at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
It felt like Ohio State and Indiana were on a crash course for a rematch in the College Football Playoff National Championship game before the Buckeyes stumbled against Miami in the Cotton Bowl. Ohio State played the Hoosiers tight in the Big Ten Championship game, but couldn’t get the offense going against Indiana’s defense. Indiana hasn’t beaten the Buckeyes in the regular season since 1988, but this isn’t your grandpa’s Hoosiers. The defending champs won’t go down easily.
No. 2 – Ohio State at Texas
Sep 20, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian leads his team on to the field before a game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Coming in at the No. 2 must-see game of the season is Ohio State at Texas. What game could be better than seeing the Buckeyes head to Austin? Well, Connelly believes that LSU at Ole’ Miss is something fans will be more excited about because of one man … Lane Kiffin, who left Oxford for Baton Rouge. Sure, seeing Kiffin pelted with verbal abuse and possibly a few water bottles will be fun to watch, but as far as the actual game goes, Ohio State at Texas is as good as it gets in the regular season.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football listed by ESPN in several must-see games for 2026
