Two dueling AI models predict the 2026 Ohio State football schedule
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If you aren't using AI just yet, you likely will be soon in some capacity. Whether it be in daily life or on your day job, there's no stopping the train that's already left the station and speeding down the track. While some of the things AI can help you with can be useful for daily routines, others can be used for fun. But which AI model is the best when it comes to predicting the outcomes of college football games?
We decided to pit two AI models against each other when predicting the Ohio State football schedule for 2026, and you can bet that we'll keep track and come back to what actually occurred during the game played on the field and off of predictive AI models. For this particular exercise, we used Google's Gemini and Claude. There are some differences, and it's interesting to see what each says about the game summaries when it comes to games against the likes of Texas, Indiana, Iowa, Oregon, Nebraska, and Michigan.
Here's how things panned out when asking these AI models to predict the Ohio State football schedule for 2026.
Ohio State football Schedule Predictions from Gemini and Claude
Sept. 5 vs. Ball State
Location | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
What Gemini Says | The Buckeyes open the season at home with an absolute fireworks display. The offense clicks immediately, airing it out early before letting the depth chart get valuable reps in the second half. Final Score: Ohio State 52, Ball State 7
Projected Gemini running record | 1-0
What Claude Says | A lopsided season opener as Ohio State's speed advantage overwhelms a MAC opponent early. Final Score: Ohio State 52, Ball State 10
Projected Claude running record | 1-0
Sept. 12 at Texas Longhorns
Location | Darryl K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, Texas)
What Gemini Says | Game of the Year candidate in week two. In a hostile, high-stakes environment down in Austin, the Buckeyes weather an early Longhorn storm. A late fourth-quarter defensive stand seals a monumental non-conference road win. Final Score: Ohio State 34, Texas 31
Projected Gemini running record | 2-0
What Claude Says | The marquee non-conference test. A tight, physical game in Austin that Ohio State edges late behind its defensive front. Final Score: Ohio State 27, Texas 20
Projected Claude running record | 2-0
Sept. 19 vs. Kent State
Location | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
What Gemini Says | A classic tune-up game before the Big Ten gauntlet begins. The Silver Bullets defense dominates from the first whistle, recording five sacks and a pick-six … Final Score: Ohio State 59, Kent State 3
Projected Gemini running record | 3-0
What Claude Says | Another MAC mismatch; backups see extended snaps in the second half. Final Score: Ohio State 49, Kent State 7
Projected Claude running record | 3-0
Sept. 26 vs. Illinois
Location | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
What Gemini Says | Big Ten play kicks off under the lights. Illinois brings their usual physical style, but Ohio State's balanced attack wears down the Illini front seven by the third quarter. Final Score: Ohio State 42, Illinois 14
Projected Gemini running record | 4-0 (1-0 Big Ten)
What Claude Says | Illinois brings a competitive Big Ten roster, but Ohio State's home crowd and depth wear them down in the second half. Final Score: Ohio State 31, Illinois 17
Projected Claude running record | 4-0 (1-0 Big Ten)
Oct. 3 at Iowa
Location | Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City, Iowa)
What Gemini Says | Kinnick Stadium is always a trap, and Iowa's elite defense keeps this one tight and ugly for three quarters. Ohio State leans heavily on the ground game to secure a hard-fought, physical road win. Final Score: Ohio State 24, Illinois 10
Projected Gemini running record | 5-0 (2-0 Big Ten)
What Claude Says | Classic low-scoring, ball-control Iowa game. Ohio State's defense forces a couple of key turnovers to escape Kinnick Stadium. Final Score: Ohio State 24, Iowa 13
Projected Claude running record | 5-0 (2-0 Big Ten)
Oct. 10 vs. Maryland
Location | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
What Gemini Says | Maryland finds some early rhythm through the air, but the Buckeyes' secondary adjustments shut down the Terps in the second half while the offense operates with ruthless efficiency. Final Score: Ohio State 45, Maryland 20
Projected Gemini running record | 6-0 (3-0 Big Ten)
What Claude Says | A comfortable Big Ten win at home against a rebuilding Terrapins squad. Final Score: Ohio State 45, Maryland 14
Projected Claude running record | 6-0 (3-0 Big Ten)
Oct. 17 at Indiana
Location | Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, Indiana)
What Gemini Says | The Hoosiers play with plenty of energy at home, but Ohio State’s explosive perimeter playmakers prove to be too much to contain over four quarters. Final Score: Ohio State 38, Indiana 17
Projected Gemini running record | 7-0 (4-0 Big Ten)
What Claude Says | The rematch of the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game (which Indiana won 13-10). This is the emotional, statement game of the season — Ohio State avenges the loss in a nail-biter on the road. Final Score: Ohio State 28, Indiana 24
Projected Claude running record | 7-0 (4-0 Big Ten)
Oct. 31 at USC
Location | Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles, California)
What Gemini Says | A Halloween night shocker in Los Angeles. The Trojans hit a few deep, low-probability plays late in the game, capitalizing on a couple of rare Buckeye turnovers to hand Ohio State its first blemish of the season. Final Score: USC 35, Ohio State 31
Projected Gemini running record | 7-1 (4-1 Big Ten)
What Claude Says | First trip to the Coliseum since 2008. A fun, high-energy environment; Ohio State's talent proves decisive down the stretch. Final Score: Ohio State 30, USC 23
Projected Claude running record | 8-0 (5-0 Big Ten)
Nov. 7 vs. Oregon
Location | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
What Gemini Says | Facing back-to-back West Coast heavyweights, the Buckeyes bounce back in a massive way inside Ohio Stadium. The defense steps up with a game-winning goal-line stand in the final minute. Final Score: Ohio State 28, Oregon 24
Projected Gemini running record | 8-1 (5-1 Big Ten)
What Claude Says | The de facto Big Ten/national-contender showdown. Both teams playoff-caliber; Ohio State survives in a shootout at the Horseshoe. Final Score: Ohio State 27, Oregon 24
Projected Claude running record | 9-0 (6-0 Big Ten)
Nov. 14 vs. Northwestern
Location | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
What Gemini Says | Total dominance from start to finish. The Buckeyes eliminate any potential hangover from the emotional Oregon win by putting this one to bed by halftime. Final Score: Ohio State 48, Northwestern 6
Projected Gemini running record | 9-1 (6-1 Big Ten)
What Claude Says | A comfortable win sandwiched between two massive games — good spot for a step-back performance. Final Score: Ohio State 38, Northwestern 10
Projected Claude running record | 10-0 (7-0 Big Ten)
Nov. 21 at Nebraska
Location | Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, Nebraska)
What Gemini Says | A cold, windy day in Lincoln tests the team's discipline. The defense forces three turnovers, consistently handing the offense short fields to put the Cornhuskers away late. Final Score: Ohio State 31, Nebraska 13
Projected Gemini running record | 10-1 (7-1 Big Ten)
What Claude Says | A hostile road environment against an improved Huskers team, but Ohio State's overall talent carries the day. Final Score: Ohio State 24, Nebraska 17
Projected Claude running record | 11-0 (8-0 Big Ten)
Nov. 28 vs. Michigan
Location | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
What Gemini Says | The Game. With a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and a first-round CFP bye on the line, the Buckeyes pull away in the fourth quarter. A dominant rushing attack controls the clock, sending "The Shoe" into absolute delirium. Final Score: Ohio State 35, Michigan 21
Projected Gemini running record | 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
What Claude Says | "The Game": The regular-season finale once again decides Big Ten East supremacy and playoff seeding. Ohio State survives a physical, tense rivalry battle at home. Final Score: Ohio State 24, Michigan 20
Projected Claude running record | 12-0 (9-0 Big Ten)
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Two dueling AI models predict the 2026 Ohio State football schedule
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