The Ohio State football schedule for 2025 is finalized.

Ohio State’s 2025 Football Schedule Released: A New Era in the Big Ten Conference

The 2025 football season promises to be an exciting one for Ohio State fans, as the Big Ten Conference officially released the schedules for its football teams on Wednesday. Ohio State, which will be playing its second season in the expanded 18-team Big Ten, is set for an action-packed season that includes seven home games at the iconic Ohio Stadium. These games will feature matchups against a mix of conference and non-conference teams, with the most anticipated contest being the season opener against Texas.

In addition to the thrilling opener against Texas, Ohio State will also host Grambling State, Ohio University, Minnesota, Penn State, UCLA, and Rutgers in 2025. These games will provide fans with a blend of familiar rivalries and exciting new faces, making it a season to look forward to. The 2025 season also marks the second year of the Big Ten’s new format, where the conference now includes teams from the West Coast, adding new challenges and opportunities for Ohio State and its competition.

Big Ten Conference Expansion: A New Era Begins

The 2025 season will be the second year of a new and expanded Big Ten Conference, which now includes 18 teams. This expansion brings a fresh level of competition and intrigue to the conference, with teams from both the Midwest and the West Coast. As part of this expansion, Ohio State will face new and exciting matchups, including games against West Coast teams like Washington and UCLA. These teams add a new dynamic to the Big Ten, with Ohio State taking on the challenge of competing against some of the best teams from the Pacific Northwest and California.

Ohio State’s game against Washington on September 27, 2025, will be particularly special. It will be the Buckeyes’ first trip to Seattle since 2007, and fans are eagerly anticipating the return to Husky Stadium. The matchup against Washington, one of the newly added teams to the Big Ten, will be a key test for Ohio State, as they look to prove their dominance in the new look conference. The game promises to be a major highlight of the 2025 season, and fans can expect a thrilling contest under the lights of one of the most iconic stadiums in college football.

Later in the season, Ohio State will also host UCLA at Ohio Stadium on November 15. This matchup will feature another exciting clash between the Buckeyes and a West Coast powerhouse. UCLA, known for its rich football history and strong program, will bring a unique challenge for Ohio State, who will be looking to defend their home turf and maintain their place among the elite teams in college football.

A Balanced and Challenging Schedule

Ohio State’s 2025 schedule offers a mix of tough conference matchups and intriguing non-conference games, setting the stage for a highly competitive season. In addition to their road trip to Washington, Ohio State will have several key matchups on the road. One of the most notable of these will be their game at Illinois on October 11. This will mark Ohio State’s first trip to Champaign, Illinois, in 10 years. The Buckeyes will be looking to extend their dominance over Illinois, as they have won their last seven meetings with the Fighting Illini.

The Buckeyes will also face off against Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium on October 18. This road game will be a tough test for Ohio State, as Wisconsin is known for its physical play and challenging atmosphere at home. Ohio State has visited Wisconsin recently, so the familiarity with the stadium and its environment will be important as they aim to leave with a crucial victory. Additionally, Ohio State will make their regular-season visit to Michigan on November 29 for what is always one of the most highly anticipated games of the year. The annual rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan is one of the most storied in college football, and the 2025 version promises to be just as intense as ever.

Along with these road games, Ohio State will host several key matchups at home, including their game against Texas on August 30. This highly anticipated season opener will be a rematch of a historic 2005 game, where Texas defeated Ohio State in Columbus. The 2025 game will be an opportunity for Ohio State to get some revenge on the Longhorns and start their season on a high note.

Other home games will feature matchups against Grambling State on September 6, Ohio University on September 13, and Minnesota on October 4. These games will provide a chance for Ohio State to showcase their talent in front of their home crowd and build momentum heading into the heart of the conference schedule. The Buckeyes will also host Penn State on November 1 and Rutgers on November 22, both of which will be important games as Ohio State looks to maintain its position at the top of the Big Ten standings.

The Conference Structure: A New Challenge

With the addition of the four new teams from the West Coast, including Washington, UCLA, USC, and Oregon, the Big Ten Conference has become more competitive than ever. Each of the 18 teams in the conference will play nine intraconference games each season, ensuring that every team faces a balanced and competitive schedule. The expansion has created a more diverse league, where teams will have to contend with different styles of play and travel to new locations for games.

One of the key aspects of the new conference structure is that teams will play every other conference opponent at least twice over a five-year period, and not more than three times. This format ensures that teams like Ohio State will have the opportunity to face a wide variety of opponents each season, making for a more exciting and unpredictable schedule. The addition of new teams also brings a greater level of competition, and Ohio State will need to be at their best in order to compete for the Big Ten championship and a spot in the College Football Playoffs.

Off Weeks and Rest Periods

Just like the 2024 season, Ohio State’s 2025 schedule includes two off weeks. The first off week will occur after the Buckeyes’ home game against Ohio University on September 20, while the second will come after their road game at Wisconsin on October 25. These off weeks give Ohio State’s players a chance to rest and recover during the grueling season, while also allowing the coaching staff to evaluate their performance and make adjustments as needed. The timing of these off weeks is ideal, as they provide much-needed breaks during key stretches of the season.

The Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoffs

The ultimate goal for Ohio State in 2025 will be to compete for the Big Ten championship and secure a spot in the College Football Playoffs. The winner of the Big Ten championship game, which will be played on December 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, will earn an automatic entry into the College Football Playoffs, where they will have the chance to compete for a national title. Ohio State has a rich history of success in both the Big Ten and the College Football Playoffs, and the 2025 season will be no different as they look to add to their legacy.

Season Ticket Information

Ohio State fans who are looking to attend the games in person will have the opportunity to renew their season tickets for the 2025 season. Season ticket holders from the 2024 season were sent renewal information in November, and they can renew their seats anytime until March 1, 2025. Those who are interested in becoming new season ticket holders or learning more about other ticket packages for the 2025 season can visit Ohio State’s official website for more details.

2025 Ohio State Football Schedule Breakdown

1. August 30 – Texas (Home)
2. September 6 – Grambling State (Home)
3. September 13 – Ohio University (Home)
4. September 20 – Off Week
5. September 27 – at Washington (Away)
6. October 4 – Minnesota (Home)
7. October 11 – at Illinois (Away)
8. October 18 – at Wisconsin (Away)
9. October 25 – Off Week
10. November 1 – Penn State (Home)
11. November 8 – at Purdue (Away)
12. November 15 – UCLA (Home)
13. November 22 – Rutgers (Home)
14. November 29 – at Michigan (Away)

As the 2025 season approaches, Ohio State fans are gearing up for an exciting and challenging year ahead. With a mix of home and away games, including some high-profile matchups against new Big Ten teams, Ohio State will be tested every week. Whether they’re taking on Texas in the season opener or traveling to Washington for the first time in nearly two decades, the 2025 football season is shaping up to be one for the ages. With the Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff aspirations on the line, Ohio State will look to continue their dominance and push towards another successful season.