5 things to know about the Ohio State vs. Ball State season opener

5 things to know about the Ohio State vs. Ball State season opener

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5 things to know about the Ohio State vs. Ball State season opener

College football season is finally here, and the Ohio StateBuckeyes take the field for the first time in the 2026 season on Saturday when they host Ball State. There are some changes to the program and some parts that remain constant.

We like to look ahead to give you some things to look forward to when it comes to each Ohio State football matchup, and it's no different with the season opener. As you would expect, OSU is highly favored, and it seems like just a tuneup in preparation for a massive matchup with the Texas Longhorns in Week 2. But they play the game for a reason, and there will be plenty to observe with this year's No. 1-ranked preseason Buckeye squad.

Here are five things to look forward to when the 'Shoe is filled to capacity on Saturday for Ohio State vs Ball State.

There's A Lot To Honor

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day talks to former head coach and current Ohio lieutenant governor Jim Tressel prior to the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 22, 2025.

Ohio State has a busy weekend ahead of it. Not only will this be a change from previous years, but it'll also bring in some of the most iconic members of the program as well. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day made a statement earlier this fall that he would be changing the Senior Day routine — taking it from the final game of the year against Michigan and making it the first game of the season, to 'honor the seniors for the whole year'. It'll be a significant change, but that won't be the only players and people honored.

In addition to the seniors, former head coach Jim Tressel and former standout running back Maurice Clarett will be on hand. Clarett will be ringing the Victory Bell, while Tressel will be honored and enshrined in the Ring of Honor in Ohio Stadium's C-Deck. Day mentioned how much both meant to not just the program, but the people in the state, and what better way to do this than with a full celebration.

A Long Streak Of Coming Out On Top In Openers …

Brutus Buckeye and the football team do the quick cals drill prior to the NCAA football game against the Ohio Bobcats at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025. Ohio State won 37-9.

Ohio State hasn't always played cupcakes in the season opener, but it hasn't always been against top-end power programs. Saturday's matchup with Ball State could push a streak even longer, however. Ohio State hasn't lost a season opener since 1999 when it lost to Miami in New Jersey. So, 27 years since feeling a loss after one game, and it's likely that moves to 28 years after this weekend.

The Buckeyes are over a 50-point favorite on Saturday with an over/under at 56.5 … so this one shouldn't even be close. There is an intriguing matchup with Texas the week after, but Ryan Day has his team solely focused on what's at hand, and that's Ball State.

New Turf For The Buckeyes

David Lenert (left) and Paul Malernee cut up souvenir pieces of turf as contractors remove playing surface at Ohio Stadium. The new surface will be featuring Shaw Sports Turf’s Forge Series system. The new field will continue to be sponsored by Safelite and will be in place for the 2026 football season. People who take a stadium tour are welcome to take home a piece of the turf while supplies last.

While this may not be a big deal, it's at least notable. The new turf will replace the old field that was installed in 2022 — the notable difference? It includes new NFL technology to help give it a natural grass feel. Many NFL teams are using this new technology for a better overall feel on the field. The next question ahead of the opener that Day answered on Tuesday was how his star player Jeremiah Smith liked it.

“It was Jeremiah approved,” said Day. "That was a big deal.”

Ohio State's Offense May Look A Bit Different

Day one of Ohio State football camp

The Buckeyes have seemingly always had a very pass-heavy offense despite talented running backs. The athleticism it's had at quarterback and wideout is undeniable, but this year could be a bit different. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith steps in with a heavy background in offensive line work and running backs. In fact, the last seven running backs to play for Smith have had over 1,000 yards on the ground.

Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith will surely be involved; there's no doubt about it. But Smith will ultimately be the guy who decides how this offense is run. It's clear that the offensive line will be the X-factor for the team this season, so does Smith try to prioritize getting that group going with the run? We'll see.

Which Freshmen To Keep An Eye On

Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Dominick Kelly (24) and cornerback Jay Timmons (25) take the field during the first practice of training camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus on Aug. 6, 2026.

Ohio State has a lot of veteran talent, but like every year, many notable freshmen may be playing their way onto the field as the season goes on. Who are they? The guys to keep an eye on are Jay Timmons, Chris Henry Jr., Legend Bey, Brock Boyd, and Khary Wilder. The notable ones may be Wilder and Timmons, however, with Ohio State looking to replace eight starters on the defensive side of the ball. The defensive line rotation is in flux, and someone like Wilder may be able to stand out enough in the early parts of the season to earn more time later on. Timmons is a standout defensive back with tons of talent. Both the defensive line and the secondary are question marks — not due to lack of talent, but because of the new names at both spots.

Offensively, Henry, Bey, and Boyd will all see time, but Bey and Henry are the two to keep in the front of your mind. Bey will likely be used as a Swiss Army Knife throughout the season, playing both wideout and running back, while Henry and Boyd will be competing for reps at wideout early on.

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: 5 things to know about the Ohio State vs. Ball State season opener

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