Ohio State Has Three “Can’t-Miss” Games for 2026 CFB Season

Ohio State Has Three “Can’t-Miss” Games for 2026 CFB Season

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Ohio State Has Three “Can’t-Miss” Games for 2026 CFB Season

The Ohio State Buckeyes will be seeking redemption during the 2026 college football season after falling short of reaching the National Championship last year.

Unfortunately for the program, Ohio State's regular season schedule includes plenty of highly-rated opponents. And while fans are excited to see the Buckeyes in multiple primetime matchups, the games could have major implications on their chances to make the 2026-27 College Football Playoffs.

In a recent article from USA Today's Paul Myerberg discussing the "can't miss" games that could have playoff implications, three of Ohio State's contests were featured on the list.

Ohio State vs Texas

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) runs during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025 (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch).
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) runs during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025 (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch).

Head coach Ryan Day and his squad will not have an easy start to the 2026 college football season, as the Buckeyes are set to take on the Texas Longhorns in Week Two.

"There’s a statement to be gleaned about the heavyweight competition between the Big Ten and SEC," Myerberg wrote. "And while both teams are expected to make the playoff, a loss could mean the difference for an at-large spot, as the Longhorns found out last season."

In 2025, both powerhouse programs faced off against each other for the first time since Ohio State's Cotton Bowl victory in 2024. The Buckeyes managed to squeak past the Longhorns to kick off their undefeated 2025 season, but this year will have even more at stake. Led by star quarterback Arch Manning, Texas finally gave the highly-touted player a true weapon in wide receiver Cam Coleman to assist the offense in 2026.

Ohio State vs Indiana

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Bo Jackson (25) spins arouns Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Amare Ferrell (1) during the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025. Ohio State lost 13-10 (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Bo Jackson (25) spins arouns Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Amare Ferrell (1) during the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025. Ohio State lost 13-10 (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State will finally get their shot at redemption against the Indiana Hoosiers on Oct 17.

Last year, head coach Curt Cignetti got the best of the Buckeyes in the Big 10 Conference Championship Game, 13-10. However, both teams will look completely different in 2026, with the Hoosiers losing Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza to the 2026 NFL Draft.

If Ohio State manages to clear the Hoosiers in the primetime matchup, the win could have significant implications on the conference standings. But a loss, on the other hand, would put the Buckeyes in a rough situation heading into the back half of the conference schedule.

Ohio State vs Oregon

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a first down catch during the second half of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Ohio State won 41-21 (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a first down catch during the second half of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Ohio State won 41-21 (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

The blossoming rivalry between Ohio State and the Oregon Ducks will arise once again nearing the end of the regular season on Nov 7.

"As with OSU and Indiana in October, the result in Columbus will go a long way toward determining who plays for the Big Ten crown and which three (or even four) teams from the conference make the 12-team playoff field," Myerberg wrote.

Depending on how the rest of the Buckeyes' regular season plays out, there's a good chance that both programs could be competing for a spot in the Big 10 Conference Championship by the time they meet in November. Luckily for Day and his squad, the highly anticipated matchup will take place in Columbus, after Oregon hosted the previous regular-season contest back in 2024.

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