Ohio State Football Schedule Breakdown – 2025 Season

The 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes football team will enter the season with great expectations. After coming off another competitive season in the Big Ten, Ohio State is set to face one of its most exciting and challenging schedules in recent memory. This year’s slate features both non-conference powerhouses and tough Big Ten opponents, providing a comprehensive and thrilling series of matchups. The schedule also incorporates strategic bye weeks that could have significant implications as the season progresses. Below is an in-depth look at each game on the 2025 Ohio State football calendar.

Week 1: August 30th, 2025 – Ohio State vs. Texas

The 2025 Ohio State football season kicks off in a high-profile game against a traditional powerhouse in the Texas Longhorns. The Buckeyes will host Texas in what promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams with rich football histories. Texas, known for its national championships and star-studded roster, will bring a fiery competitive edge to Ohio Stadium. Both teams are eager to make a statement early in the season, and this game will set the tone for the rest of the year. The atmosphere at The Shoe will be electric, as Ohio State fans will be eager to see how their team matches up against an out-of-conference powerhouse.

This game is a marquee matchup of two storied programs, and it will serve as a key early-season test for Ohio State’s offensive and defensive units. The Buckeyes will look to establish dominance in front of their home crowd, but the Longhorns’ talent will make it a difficult and hard-fought battle. Quarterback play and defensive schemes will be at the forefront of this exciting season opener.

Week 2: September 6th, 2025 – Ohio State vs. Grambling State

In Week 2, Ohio State will face off against the Grambling State Tigers, an FCS opponent from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). This will be a home game for Ohio State, offering the Buckeyes an opportunity to build momentum and fine-tune their game plan. While Grambling State may not present the same level of competition as Texas, the Tigers are known for their athleticism and competitive spirit.

Ohio State will look to get their young players significant game time while resting key starters ahead of a tougher stretch of the schedule. It’s also an important game for Ohio State’s depth chart, as coaches will use this matchup to evaluate backup players in live game situations. Look for Ohio State to dominate the game on both sides of the ball, but there will still be lessons learned, particularly in game management and player development.

Week 3: September 13th, 2025 – Ohio State vs. Ohio

In the third week of the season, Ohio State will face the Ohio Bobcats in a battle of in-state rivals. This matchup, although lopsided on paper, will provide an opportunity for Ohio State to showcase its talent and continue to build toward the more challenging games that lie ahead. The Bobcats will no doubt bring their best effort to Ohio Stadium, and the Buckeyes will need to maintain their focus.

For Ohio, it’s an exciting opportunity to take on one of the best teams in the country. As always, games like this can sometimes lead to surprises, and the Bobcats will look to exploit any early-season mistakes that the Buckeyes make. For Ohio State, this is an important game to keep the offense sharp and refine the defensive schemes, making sure that there is no slacking off ahead of their next few weeks.

Week 4: September 20th, 2025 – Bye Week

After a relatively smooth start to the season, Ohio State will take a well-timed bye week in Week 4. The timing of this bye is significant as it allows the Buckeyes to rest and recuperate before entering a tougher part of their schedule. Coaches and players will use this week to analyze their performance during the first three games and fine-tune their strategies.

The bye also gives Ohio State time to focus on the upcoming challenges, especially their matchups with Washington and Minnesota in the following weeks. Ohio State’s coaching staff will likely use this week to evaluate injuries and prepare for the high-pressure games in the Big Ten schedule.

Week 5: September 27th, 2025 – Ohio State at Washington

Following the bye week, the Buckeyes will travel to Seattle to face the Washington Huskies. Washington is one of the premier teams in the Pac-12 and will provide a stiff test for Ohio State on the road. Playing in Husky Stadium, a notoriously loud and passionate environment, will challenge Ohio State’s ability to execute in hostile territory. Washington will look to exploit Ohio State’s weaknesses, especially in the secondary, and test their ability to withstand the pressure of a high-energy home crowd.

The Huskies are known for their strong defensive play, so Ohio State’s offense will need to be at the top of its game. This game will be an important early-season challenge that will prepare the Buckeyes for tougher games down the road, particularly in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes cannot afford to take this matchup lightly.

Week 6: October 4th, 2025 – Ohio State vs. Minnesota

On October 4th, the Buckeyes will return home to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Minnesota has been a competitive team in the Big Ten in recent years, and this game will be an important one for Ohio State in their conference schedule. The Golden Gophers are known for their tough, physical style of play, especially in the trenches, so Ohio State will need to be prepared for a battle in the trenches.

Ohio State’s defense will be key in this matchup, as they will need to stifle Minnesota’s running game while maintaining discipline in coverage. The Buckeyes’ offense will also need to keep their momentum going, finding success against a tough Minnesota defense. This will be a good opportunity for Ohio State to sharpen their play calling and establish control of the game early on.

Week 7: October 11th, 2025 – Ohio State at Illinois

The following week, Ohio State travels to Champaign, Illinois, to face the Fighting Illini. Illinois has shown flashes of competitiveness in recent seasons but has struggled with consistency in the Big Ten. However, playing on the road in the Big Ten is always a challenge, and Ohio State will need to avoid any slip-ups against a team that can play spoilers.

Illinois will likely focus on slowing down Ohio State’s explosive offense with a physical approach, trying to limit the big plays that Ohio State is known for. The Buckeyes will need to execute their game plan efficiently and not get caught up in Illinois’ attempts to play a slower, more methodical game. This is a game where Ohio State’s superior depth should come through, but it won’t be a walkover.

Week 8: October 18th, 2025 – Ohio State at Wisconsin

One of the toughest matchups on the schedule comes on October 18th, when Ohio State travels to Madison, Wisconsin, to take on the Badgers. Wisconsin is always a formidable opponent, particularly at home, where the Badgers’ fans create one of the most hostile environments in college football. Known for their power-running game, Wisconsin will try to impose their will on Ohio State’s defense. The Buckeyes will need to step up their physicality in this game, especially in the front seven, to contain the Badgers’ ground attack.

Offensively, Ohio State will look to exploit Wisconsin’s defense with their speed and talent on the perimeter. This game will be a critical one for Ohio State as they look to stay on track for the Big Ten title race.

Week 9: October 25th, 2025 – Bye Week

Ohio State will have another bye week following their tough road trip to Wisconsin. This will give the team time to rest and recover before the stretch run of their season. It also allows coaches to review the performance of the team over the first half of the season and make any necessary adjustments to prepare for the crucial November games.

Week 10: November 1st, 2025 – Ohio State vs. Penn State

November kicks off with a major matchup against Penn State. The Nittany Lions are always a tough opponent, and this game will likely have major Big Ten Championship implications. Penn State has one of the best defensive lines in the country, and they will challenge Ohio State’s offensive line. The Buckeyes will need to execute their offense with precision and avoid turnovers against a defense that thrives on creating chaos.

On the defensive side, Ohio State will have to contain Penn State’s dual-threat quarterback and limit the explosive plays that have made the Nittany Lions so dangerous in recent years. This will be a high-stakes game with potential playoff implications.

Week 11: November 8th, 2025 – Ohio State vs. Purdue

Ohio State’s November slate continues with a matchup against Purdue. The Boilermakers are known for their high-powered passing attack, and Ohio State’s secondary will need to be on point to avoid giving up big plays. Purdue can be dangerous, but Ohio State’s talent should be too much for the Boilermakers in this game. This is another game where the Buckeyes should assert their dominance and control the tempo.

Week 12: November 15th, 2025 – Ohio State vs. UCLA

One of the most intriguing matchups of the season comes on November 15th when Ohio State hosts UCLA. The Bruins have been improving under head coach Chip Kelly and will bring a potent offensive attack to Columbus. This will be another high-profile non-conference game that will be a test for Ohio State’s defense. Ohio State’s offense will also need to capitalize on opportunities and put up points to keep pace with UCLA’s scoring potential.

Week 13: November 22nd, 2025 – Ohio State vs. Rutgers

In Week 13, Ohio State will face Rutgers, a team that has struggled to maintain consistent success in the Big Ten. However, the Scarlet Knights will bring their best effort to Columbus, and Ohio State cannot afford to overlook them. This is a game that the Buckeyes should win, but they will need to stay focused and execute to avoid any surprises.

Week 14: November 29th, 2025 – Ohio State vs. Michigan

The 2025 season culminates in the biggest game of the year: the annual rivalry game against Michigan. The Buckeyes and Wolverines will meet at Ohio Stadium in a matchup that always has conference and national title implications. Michigan will be hungry to get revenge for any previous defeats, and the Buckeyes will be ready to defend their home turf in what will undoubtedly be a hard-fought and emotional battle.

The winner of this game will likely determine the Big Ten champion and have a significant chance of securing a spot in the College Football Playoff. This rivalry is one of the most iconic in all of sports, and both teams will leave it all on the field in this epic showdown.