Ohio State Football Schedule 2024, Season Preview, & History
June 27, 2024
Ohio State Football Schedule 2024 – The Ohio State Buckeyes are one of college football’s most storied programs. With a passionate fan base and a rich history dating back to , the Buckeyes have won eight national championships, seven Heisman Trophies, and 93 consensus All-Americans (second-most in college football). Matter of fact, they are tied with only the University of Michigan for the highest winning percentage in college football history.
This season will be crucial for the Buckeyes and sixth-year head coach .聽 Last season, the Buckeyes finished with an 11-2 record, narrowly missing out on a College Football Playoff berth after a heartbreaking loss to Michigan in the final game of the regular season.聽 Under Day, Ohio State is and have lost the last three games in a row.聽 While that might not seem like a huge deal when you鈥檙e winning 11 games a season, (as many in Ohio and Michigan simply know it by) carries a different weight.
Ohio State Football Schedule 2024, Season Preview, & History (Continued)
Regardless, Ohio State expects to make it back to the College Football Playoffs in 2024 as well as beat a Michigan team that sits atop the college football mountain.聽 The Buckeyes return some key players in defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.聽 They also landed some key transfers in Alabama safety Caleb Downs and Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins.
While there鈥檚 always question marks heading into a new season (ahem, quarterback鈥�), there鈥檚 enough talent on this roster to compete with any team in the country.聽 See below for the Ohio State football schedule 2024鈥� and Go Buckeyes!
Ohio State Football Schedule 2024
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (EST) | TV | Tickets | All-Time Record |
| 31-Aug | Akron | Columbus, Ohio | 3:30 PM | CBS | Ohio State leads 8-1 | |
| 7-Sep | Western Michigan | Columbus, Ohio | 7:30 PM | BTN | Ohio State leads 1-0 | |
| 14-Sep | Bye Week | |||||
| 21-Sep | Marshall | Columbus, Ohio | TBD | TBD | Ohio State leads 2-0 | |
| 28-Sep | Michigan State | East Lansing, Mich. | TBD | TBD | Ohio State leads 37-15 | |
| 5-Oct | Iowa | Columbus, Ohio | TBD | TBD | Ohio State leads 47-15-3 | |
| 12-Oct | Oregon | Eugene, Ore. | TBD | TBD | Ohio State leads 9-1 | |
| 19-Oct | Bye Week | |||||
| 26-Oct | Nebraska | Columbus, Ohio | TBD | TBD | Ohio State leads 9-1 | |
| 2-Nov | Penn State | University Park, Pa. | TBD | TBD | Ohio State leads 24-14 | |
| 9-Nov | Purdue | Columbus, Ohio | TBD | TBD | Ohio State leads 41-15-2 | |
| 16-Nov | Northwestern | Chicago, Ill. (Wrigley Field) | TBD | TBD | Ohio State leads 65-14-1 | |
| 23-Nov | Indiana | Columbus, Ohio | TBD | TBD | Ohio State leads 79-12-5 | |
| 30-Nov | Michigan | Columbus, Ohio | TBD | TBD | Michigan leads 61-51-6 | |
2024 Season Preview
Ohio State has eight home games this season, compared to only four away games. Combine that with a relatively weak Big 10 schedule and the Buckeyes should be looking at another 11+ win season and a spot in the expanded College Football Playoffs.
- Akron (Aug 31, Home)
- Ohio State opens the season at home against Akron. The Zips struggled last season with a 2-10 record, and although they landed a few big transfers in the portal (including quarterback Ben Finley from California), they still have a long way to go. This game will serve as a tune-up for the Buckeyes, allowing them to set a tone for the season.
- Western Michigan (Sep 7, Home)
- The Buckeyes host Western Michigan in back-to-back MAC matchups. Last year, the Broncos went 4-8 and only 3-5 in the weak Middle Atlantic Conference. Ohio State will dominate yet again.
- Marshall (Sep 21, Home)
- Out of the first three warm-up games for Ohio State, Marshall most likely proves to be the toughest. That may not be saying much against a team as talented as Ohio State, but the Thundering Herd are a proud program playing out of a competitive Sun Belt (Fun Belt!) Conference. Marshall finished last season with a 6-7 record, including a loss to UTSA in the Frisco Bowl. The Herd landed a big transfer in defensive tackle Will Norman from the Florida Gators.
- Michigan State (Sep 28, Away)
- The Buckeyes hit the road for the first time to travel to East Lansing to face Michigan State, who ended last season with a 4-8 record. The Spartans have a new head coach in , who came to MSU from Oregon State. They also have a lot of potential in new quarterback Aidan Chiles, who followed Smith from Oregon State.
Ohio State Football Schedule 2024, Season Preview, & History (Continued)
- Iowa (Oct 5, Home)
- Ohio State hosts an Iowa team who was last season. The Hawkeyes finished 10-4 in 2023 and lost to Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl. This season, Iowa brings in offensive coordinator who will be . If successful, it would be much needed for a team that set records last season for its offensive inefficiency.
- Oregon (Oct 12, Away)
- One of the most anticipated games of the season, Ohio State travels to face Oregon for an in-conference matchup. The Ducks are an incredibly talented team but will they be able to adjust to a new league? Oregon went 12-2 last season and finished ranked #6 nationally. This is a rematch of the 2021 game (), and it will have significant implications for the College Football Playoff race.
- Nebraska (Oct 26, Home)
- Ohio State welcomes Nebraska, a program that’s been steadily improving under head coach Matt Rhule. The Cornhuskers finished 5-7 last season, but there are high hopes in Lincoln these days thanks to freshman quarterback . Raiola – who is only 19 years old – is the best quarterback prospect in Nebraska history. Still a very winnable game for the Buckeyes, Raiola makes things a little more intriguing.
- Penn State (Nov 2, Away)
- Ohio State travels to University Park to face Penn State, a team that went 10-3 last year and finished ranked #18. The Nittany Lions are perennial contenders in the Big Ten who just can鈥檛 seem to get over the Ohio State hump. Penn State is against the Buckeyes, dating back to 2004. The Nittany Lions are hosting Ohio State this season which could help their chances.
Ohio State Football Schedule 2024, Season Preview, & History (Continued)
- Purdue (Nov 9, Home)
- Ohio State hosts Purdue, who struggled last season with a 4-8 record. The Boilermakers, however, have a history of playing spoiler, beating the Buckeyes back in 2018 to derail a potential championship season. 2024 will be second season at the helm and although Purdue will be improved from last season, this is a very winnable matchup.
- Northwestern (Nov 16, Away)
- The Buckeyes travel to Chicago to play Northwestern in an intriguing Wrigley Field showdown (intriguing because of the venue, not the opponent!). The Wildcats made strides last season, finishing 8-5 and beating Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. Northwestern鈥檚 coaching staff is almost entirely new (including , who was interim coach last year). There are a lot of questions for the Wildcats heading into this season.
- Indiana (Nov 23, Home)
- Ohio State hosts an Indiana team that has not beaten Ohio State since 1988 鈥� that鈥檚 31 straight losses! Indiana ended last season with a 3-9 record. This year, they hope to turn things around behind first-year head coach , the reigning Sun Belt Coach of the Year at James Madison.
- Michigan (Nov 30, Home)
- A rivalry so powerful it’s simply known as The Game. Last season, Michigan beat Ohio State en route to a National Championship. This season, Ohio State is hoping to right the ship.
Notable Ohio State Coaches
Ohio State began playing football in 1890 and the program has had 24 head coaches during that time.聽 Amazingly, 8 of those 24 coaches (33%!!) have been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.聽 Nonetheless, the coaches below are the best of the best in Buckeye history.
Woody Hayes (1951-1978)
- Record: 205-61-10
- Winning Percentage: .761
- Hayes is the most iconic figure in Ohio State football history as well as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time. His teams were known for their “three yards and a cloud of dust” style of play.聽 Hayes led the Buckeyes to 13 Big Ten titles and five national championships.聽
Jim Tressel (2001-2010)
- Record: 94-22
- Winning Percentage: .810
- Tressel brought Ohio State back to national prominence, including a dramatic overtime victory in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl to secure the national title. He led the Buckeyes to eight BCS bowl appearances in ten years and seven Big Ten titles.
Urban Meyer (2012-2018)
- Record: 83-9
- Winning Percentage: .902
- The ever-polarizing Urban Meyer was a winning machine (just look at that winning percentage!). He led the Buckeyes to an inaugural College Football Playoffs National Championship in 2014. He won three Big Ten titles.聽 Most importantly, during his 7-year tenure, he never lost to Michigan.
Ohio State’s National Championship Seasons
Ohio State has won eight national championships and 41 conference titles (two Ohio Athletic Conference and 39 Big Ten titles). Here are their national championship seasons.
1942 Season
- Record: 9-1
- Head Coach: Paul Brown
- Key Players: Les Horvath (RB), Charles Csuri (OL)
1954 Season
- Record: 10-0
- Head Coach: Woody Hayes
- Key Players: Howard Cassady (RB), Jim Parker (OL)
1957 Season
- Record: 9-1
- Head Coach: Woody Hayes
- Key Players: Bill Jobko (LB), Galen Cisco (RB)
Ohio State Football Schedule 2024, Season Preview, & History (Continued)
1961 Season
- Record: 8-0-1
- Head Coach: Woody Hayes
- Key Players: Bob Ferguson (RB), Paul Warfield (WR)
1968 Season
- Record: 10-0
- Head Coach: Woody Hayes
- Key Players: Rex Kern (QB), Jack Tatum (DB)
1970 Season
- Record: 9-1
- Head Coach: Woody Hayes
- Key Players: Jim Stillwagon (DT), Jan White (TE)
2002 Season
- Record: 14-0
- Head Coach: Jim Tressel
- Key Players: Craig Krenzel (QB), Maurice Clarett (RB)
2014 Season (Ohio State won the first College Football Playoff National Championship)
- Record: 14-1
- Head Coach: Urban Meyer
- Key Players: Cardale Jones (QB), Ezekiel Elliott (RB)
Ohio State Buckeyes Football: Top Statistical Leaders
Rushing Yards (career)
- Archie Griffin (1972-1975) – 5,177 yards
- J.K. Dobbins (2017-2019) – 4,459 yards
- Ezekiel Elliot (2013-2015) – 3,961 yards
- Eddie George (1992-1995) – 3,578 yards
- Chris Wells (2006-2008)** – 3,382 yards
Career Passing Yards (career)
- J.T. Barrett (2014-2017) – 9,434 yards
- C.J. Stroud (2020-2022) – 8,123 yards
- Bobby Hoying (1992-1995) – 6,751 yards
- Art Schlichter (1978-1981) – 6,584 yards
- Terrelle Pryor (2008-2010) – 6,177 yards
Ohio State Football Schedule 2024, Season Preview, & History (Continued)
Career Receiving Yards (career)
- Michael Jenkins (2001-2003) – 2,746 yards
- Chris Olave (2018-2021) – 2,711 yards
- David Boston (1996-1998) – 2,690 yards
- Marvin Harrison Jr. (2021-2023) – 2,613 yards
- Devin Smith (2011-2014) – 2,503 yards
Total Touchdowns (career)
- J.T. Barrett (2014-2017) – 147 touchdowns
- Braxton Miller (2011-2015) – 88 touchdowns
- C.J. Stroud (2020-2022) – 86 touchdowns
- Art Schlichter (1978-1981) – 75 touchdowns
- Justin Fields (2019-2020) – 78 touchdowns
Career Tackles (career)
- Marcus Marek (1979-1982) – 572 tackles
- Tom Cousineau (1975-1978) – 569 tackles
- Chris Spielman (1984-1987) – 546 tackles
- Steve Tovar (1989-1992) – 408 tackles
- A.J. Hawk (2002-2005) – 394 tackles
Ohio State Football Schedule 2024, Season Preview, & History (Continued)
Career Interceptions (career)
- Mike Sensibaugh (1968-1970) – 22 interceptions
- Fred Bruney (1950-1952) – 17 interceptions
- Ted Provost (1967-1969) – 16 interceptions
- William White (1984-1987) – 16 interceptions
- Neal Colzie (1972-1974) – 15 interceptions
Total NFL Draft Picks: 498 (which ranks #3 all time)
Total Heisman Trophy Winners: 7 (which ranks #2 all time)
- 1944 – (RB)
- 1950 – (RB)
- 1955 – (RB)
- 1974 – (RB)
- 1975 – (RB)
- 1995 – (RB)
- 2006 – (QB)
Notable Ohio State Rivalries
Michigan Wolverines (The Game)
This is one of the most storied and intense rivalries in all of sports. Simply known as The Game, the rivalry dates back to 1897, and it has been played annually since 1918. Michigan leads the all-time series 60-51-6, and the Wolverines have won the last three meetings.
Penn State Nittany Lions
A more recent rivalry, the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions have played some classic games since Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993. Ohio State owns the all-time series with a record of 24-14.
Illinois Fighting Illini (The Illibuck Trophy)
One of the Big Ten’s oldest trophy games, the winner of this matchup takes home the “,” a wooden turtle. This rivalry has become less prominent in recent years due to Ohio State鈥檚 dominance (Illinois has only won 3 times since 1995).聽 Nonetheless, the matchup still holds historical significance.
Heading into the 2024 Season
As usual, the Buckeyes enter the 2024 season with high expectations. This Ohio State squad is loaded with talent and they can compete with any team in the nation.聽 The Kansas State transfer Will Howard and Devin Brown will be a key storyline to watch early in the season.聽 The offensive line, anchored by , will need to gel quickly to protect the new signal-caller.
Defensively, Ohio State returns a strong core, including defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau and cornerback Denzel Burke. The Buckeyes’ defense, which , looks to maintain that same level of dominance.
Key games against Oregon, Penn State, and Michigan will likely determine Ohio State’s playoff fate. Can head coach Ryan Day lead the Buckeyes back to the College Football Playoff and compete for a national title?聽 More importantly, can he finally beat Michigan?聽 The answer to the latter may determine Day鈥檚 future in Columbus.
2024 Ohio State Football Schedule 鈥� Additional Resources
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