Ohio State 2025 Football Schedule: Key Matchups, Byes, and a Bold Start to the Season

The Ohio State Buckeyes are a perennial powerhouse in college football, known for their electrifying offense, suffocating defense, and rich tradition of success. Heading into the 2025 season, Ohio State is poised to continue its dominance, and their schedule is packed with intriguing matchups, tough challenges, and a bold start that will set the tone for the rest of the year. As we analyze the Ohio State 2025 football schedule, we will break down the key matchups, the critical bye weeks, and the potential for a strong start to what could be another successful season in Columbus.

1. Ohio State 2025 Football Schedule Overview

The Ohio State Buckeyes will enter the 2025 season with a target on their back. Having consistently been one of the top teams in the Big Ten and in college football as a whole, the Buckeyes will face a grueling slate of opponents in their quest for a national championship. The 2025 schedule is set to challenge Ohio State both in and out of conference, with games against traditional powerhouses and emerging teams that will provide a stiff test.

The Buckeyes will face a mix of ranked and unranked teams, along with their usual Big Ten Conference rivals. Their non-conference schedule has been designed to give them a chance to establish dominance early in the season while keeping them sharp as the season progresses.

2. Key Matchups in the 2025 Season

While Ohio State’s 2025 schedule contains many intriguing matchups, several games stand out as particularly important, both in terms of national significance and their potential to impact Ohio State’s journey to the College Football Playoff.

Week 1: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame (Home)

One of the most anticipated matchups of the entire 2025 season will come in Week 1 when Ohio State hosts the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Columbus. This game represents not just a challenge for the Buckeyes, but also an opportunity to set the tone for the season. Notre Dame, traditionally a strong team, will come into the game with high expectations and a roster capable of competing with the best. With the game being played at Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes will have the advantage of home-field support, but they will need to be prepared for a tough and physical battle.

Week 3: Ohio State at Michigan State

The Big Ten Conference always presents a tough slate of games, and Michigan State is a program that can never be underestimated. While the Spartans have fluctuated in performance in recent years, their defense remains a formidable challenge for any offense. This road game, played in East Lansing, will test Ohio State’s resolve early in the season. Michigan State’s ability to disrupt offenses and create turnovers will be critical for the Buckeyes to overcome if they want to stay on track for a potential playoff berth.

Week 5: Ohio State vs. Penn State (Home)

Penn State has emerged as one of Ohio State’s top competitors in the Big Ten East in recent seasons. The Nittany Lions have a strong defense and an offense that can strike quickly, and they have become known for their ability to play big in big games. The matchup in Week 5, which will be held in Columbus, is expected to have major implications for the Big Ten East division race. If Ohio State can win this game, it will bolster their chances of securing a high seed in the College Football Playoff.

Week 8: Ohio State at Wisconsin

Another road game that will test Ohio State’s ability to perform under pressure comes in Week 8 when they travel to Camp Randall Stadium to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin is known for its physicality, especially on the offensive line and running game, and this matchup will feature a contrast of styles. Ohio State’s fast-paced offense will face a tough, grind-it-out defense led by Wisconsin’s veteran players. This game will likely have major implications on both teams’ hopes of securing a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, and Ohio State will need to bring their best to avoid any surprises in one of the most challenging road environments in college football.

Week 9: Ohio State at Michigan

The game that every Ohio State fan has circled on their calendar. The rivalry with Michigan is one of the most storied in all of sports, and the 2025 edition promises to be another epic showdown. With both teams likely to be in the hunt for a playoff spot, this late-season clash could decide the Big Ten East title and have major implications on the national championship picture. Ohio State has dominated Michigan in recent years, but the Wolverines have shown signs of resurgence and are a dangerous opponent that should not be taken lightly.

This game is expected to be intense, with Ohio State’s high-powered offense clashing against Michigan’s stout defense. The stakes could not be higher for both teams, and a win for the Buckeyes in this rivalry game will be a significant achievement and move them one step closer to securing a spot in the College Football Playoff.

3. The Role of Bye Weeks in Ohio State’s 2025 Schedule

Bye weeks are crucial for any team’s success throughout a long and demanding college football season. They offer a chance for players to recover, for coaches to adjust strategies, and for teams to refocus as they head into the heart of their conference schedules. For Ohio State, the 2025 season provides a couple of critical bye weeks that will be strategically placed to help them maintain peak performance.

Week 4: Bye Week

Following their Week 3 road trip to Michigan State, the Buckeyes will have a well-timed bye week to rest and recover before their important home matchup against Penn State. This week off will allow Ohio State to recharge, heal up any lingering injuries, and fine-tune their game plan for the Nittany Lions. This will be especially important given the physical nature of the Big Ten and the grueling schedule Ohio State faces in the opening weeks of the season.

Week 10: Bye Week

Another bye week comes after the grueling matchup with Michigan. Ohio State will have a week to rest and recover before heading into the final stretch of the season. This week off will allow the coaching staff to evaluate the team’s performance in the Michigan game, make adjustments, and focus on preparing for the final games of the season, which could include a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and the College Football Playoff.

4. A Bold Start to the Season

Ohio State’s 2025 season kicks off with some of the most exciting and challenging matchups in the country, starting with their high-profile game against Notre Dame. A strong start to the season is essential for any team looking to make a run at a national championship, and the Buckeyes will need to come out firing on all cylinders. A victory against Notre Dame would not only set the tone for the rest of the season but also provide an early statement that Ohio State is prepared to take on anyone in the country.

The first few weeks of the season could define Ohio State’s entire year. If they can knock off Notre Dame and handle their business against Michigan State and Penn State, they’ll be in excellent position to navigate the remainder of their schedule and secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. The key to a strong start will be Ohio State’s ability to avoid complacency and treat each game with the importance it deserves.

5. Looking Beyond the Regular Season

Assuming Ohio State manages to navigate its regular-season schedule with few slip-ups, the Buckeyes will then have to focus on the Big Ten Championship and beyond. Their performance in these pivotal games will determine whether they earn a spot in the College Football Playoff and, ultimately, a chance to contend for a national championship.

The Big Ten Championship Game, which is typically held in Indianapolis, will be an opportunity for Ohio State to assert their dominance within the conference. If they make it through the regular season with only a few losses, or ideally undefeated, they will be well-positioned to win the conference and secure one of the coveted playoff spots.

6. Conclusion

The Ohio State 2025 football season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. From a bold start to the season with a high-profile matchup against Notre Dame, to the key in-conference battles against Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the Buckeyes will have to bring their A-game every week. The well-timed bye weeks will help them maintain focus and health as they navigate one of the toughest schedules in the country.

Ohio State has the talent, the coaching, and the tradition to compete at the highest level, and the 2025 season will be a true test of their ability to perform under pressure. With a combination of veteran leadership and exciting young talent, the Buckeyes are primed to make a serious run at the College Football Playoff and, ultimately, a national championship. Fans in Columbus and across the country will be watching eagerly to see if the Buckeyes can live up to the hype and continue their legacy as one of college football’s elite programs.