As a longtime observer and analyst of college football, with a particular focus on the Big Ten, I find myself each summer meticulously circling dates on the calendar. The release of the Ohio State Buckeyes football schedule is an event in itself, a blueprint for the emotional journey that awaits from late August through, we all hope, early January. This year’s slate presents a fascinating mix of tradition, new challenges, and pivotal moments that will define the trajectory of Ryan Day’s squad. The pressure in Columbus is always immense, but this season feels particularly consequential, a potential hinge point for the program’s near-term future. Let’s dive into the key dates, the matchups that will have everyone talking, and my take on how this season might unfold.
The season kicks off on August 31st with a home game against Akron. Now, on paper, this is a tune-up. But for me, it’s the first real look at the new quarterback—whether it’s Will Howard, Devin Brown, or a dark horse—operating the offense in a live game. It’s about rhythm, execution, and setting a tone. The non-conference schedule then offers a intriguing test on September 7th with a visit from Western Michigan, followed by the marquee early-season showdown: a September 21st trip to face the Oregon Ducks. This isn’t just another game; it’s a narrative monster. It’s Ryan Day against his former colleague and now Big Ten foe, Dan Lanning. It’s a brutal early road test in one of the nation’s loudest environments, Autzen Stadium, and it will tell us more about this team’s character in one afternoon than the first two games combined. A win there, and the playoff chatter ignites instantly. A loss, and the margin for error in the Big Ten shrinks to zero.
The heart of the Big Ten schedule is, as always, a grind. After Oregon, the Buckeyes have a stretch that includes home games against Iowa and Nebraska, which are never easy outs. But everyone in Columbus, and across the country, has already circled November 2nd. That’s when Penn State comes to Ohio Stadium. For years, this has been the game that often decides the Big Ten East, and now, in the new expanded conference, it might be the game that decides a spot in the championship game in Indianapolis. The following week, November 9th, brings a trip to Purdue, a classic “trap game” location if there ever was one, especially coming off what will be an emotionally and physically draining battle with the Nittany Lions. The Buckeyes can’t afford a letdown. Then, after a welcome bye week, it’s the one that needs no introduction: The Game. Michigan at Ohio State on November 30th. The rivalry, the bitterness, the sheer weight of it. After three straight losses, this game isn’t just about a conference title or playoff berth; it’s about reclaiming an identity. The season, in many ways, will be judged on this single afternoon in Columbus.
Looking at this schedule holistically, I see a path that is challenging but navigable for a team with championship aspirations. The early test at Oregon is a double-edged sword. It’s a huge risk, but if they emerge victorious, it provides a résumé boost and a confidence surge that could propel them through the season. The middle of the schedule is manageable, but it requires focus. You can’t overlook teams like Iowa, whose defense can suffocate anyone on a given Saturday. For me, the key stretch is that Penn State-Purdue sequence. Handling business against a top-tier opponent like Penn State requires a complete performance. I’m looking for a defense, which should again be elite, to control the line of scrimmage. I want to see the secondary, a unit I believe is the best in the country on paper, make game-changing plays. Offensively, it’s all about balance. They need to establish a run game to complement what should be a dynamic passing attack, whether it’s to Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, or the stellar tight end duo.
In terms of season outlook, my prediction is cautiously optimistic. I have them finishing the regular season at 11-1. I think they split the two monster games against Oregon and Michigan, though I won’t speculate publicly on which one I think they’ll drop—that’s a surefire way to get hate mail from both fan bases! The talent is certainly there, especially on defense. The quarterback situation, while unsettled, has high-ceiling options. The offensive line has questions, but so does every team’s in August. What gives me pause is the sheer mental toll of the schedule. It’s not just the big games; it’s the weekly intensity of the Big Ten, where even a down team can derail your season if you’re not fully locked in. It reminds me of the pressure in a high-stakes tournament setting, where every play counts. I was reading about a volleyball tournament recently where a player named Arisu Ishikawa registered the team’s first triple-double with 11 points, 13 digs, and 16 receptions. That’s the kind of all-around, gritty performance you need from every unit in every big game—a quarterback making plays with his arm and legs, a defensive end getting a sack and forcing a fumble, a receiver making a tough catch over the middle. Ohio State will need several players to have that “triple-double” impact in their biggest contests.
Ultimately, the 2024 Ohio State football schedule is a gauntlet designed to either forge a champion or expose its flaws. The early road test, the perennial battles with Penn State and Michigan, and the week-in, week-out physicality of the conference will demand excellence. From my perspective, this team has the pieces. It has the coaching, it has the talent, and it certainly has the motivation after falling short of the ultimate goals recently. The journey begins in late August, and every Saturday will write a new chapter. For Buckeye fans, it’s time to buckle up. It’s going to be a thrilling, nerve-wracking, and ultimately defining ride. My advice? Enjoy the opener, but keep your eyes fixed on those late autumn Saturdays. That’s where legends are made, and seasons are remembered.
