Buckeyes, Big Ten reveal conference opponents through 2028

COLUMBUS — Ohio State finally knows when it will see its new conference foes for the next five seasons.

The Big Ten released its new scheduling model for the first five seasons of the new Big Ten, which will feature 18 members. And the slate will only be getting tougher for all 18 members, Ohio State included.

The dates aren’t yet set for the 2024 Big Ten matchups, but those are expected to come soon. The opponents, meanwhile, are official.

Ohio State will have eight home games next year in the 2024 slate, including three nonconference matchups against Group of Five opponents. The Big Ten home games next year are against Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Purdue and Michigan.

The road games next season provide plenty of intrigue. Ohio State will face Northwestern and Michigan State on the road, as both programs will have new head coaches. The Buckeyes also will have marquee road matchups against Oregon and Penn State.

Ohio State will not play Penn State in 2026 or 2027.

More about Buckeyes West Coast opponents

The first time Ohio State will face UCLA as a Big Ten opponent will come in 2025 at home. The Buckeyes will also face Big Ten newcomer Washington in 2025 — in Seattle.

And the first time Ohio State faces USC as a Big Ten foe will be in 2026, when the Buckeyes hit the road to the Coliseum.

Ohio State will have one road game on the West Coast in each of the next five seasons.

More about Ohio State, Big Ten new schedule

The new Big Ten scheduling model, coined the Flex Protect XVIII Model by the league, makes sure that all 18 Big Ten schools will play nine conference games each year, and they’ll each play every opponent at least twice in a five-year period.

Ohio State will play eight different opponents three times in the next five years. Those schools are Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue and Rutgers. The Buckeyes will play twice against eight others: Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, UCLA, USC, Washington and Wisconsin.

And of course, the Buckeyes will play Michigan every year. It’s one of 12 protected rivalries in the new Big Ten.

The others are: Illinois vs. Northwestern; Illinois vs. Purdue; Indiana vs. Purdue; Iowa vs. Minnesota; Iowa vs. Nebraska; Iowa vs. Wisconsin; Maryland vs. Rutgers; Michigan vs. Michigan State; Minnesota vs. Wisconsin; Oregon vs. Washington; and UCLA vs. USC.

The full slate of future opponents through the 2028 season can be found below.

2024 Ohio State Schedule

Aug. 31 – Southern Mississippi
Sept. 7 – Western Michigan
Sept. 21 – Marshall

Big Ten Home Games

Indiana
Iowa
Michigan
Nebraska
Purdue

Big Ten Away Games

Michigan State
Northwestern
Oregon
Penn State

2025 Ohio State Schedule

Aug. 30 – Texas
Sept. 13 – Ohio
Oct. 18 – UConn

Big Ten Home Games

Minnesota
Penn State
Rutgers
UCLA

Big Ten Away Games

Illinois
Michigan
Purdue
Washington
Wisconsin

2026 Ohio State Schedule

Sept. 5 – Ball State
Sept. 12 – at Texas
Sept. 19 – Kent State

Big Ten Home Games

Illinois
Maryland
Michigan
Northwestern
Oregon

Big Ten Away Games

Indiana
Iowa
Nebraska
USC

2027 Buckeyes Schedule

Sept. 4 – Bowling Green
Sept. 11 – New Hampshire
Sept. 18 – Alabama

Big Ten Home Games

Michigan State
Purdue
Nebraska
USC

Big Ten Away Games

Michigan
Minnesota
Northwestern
Oregon
Rutgers

2028 Ohio State Schedule

Sept. 2 – Buffalo
Sept. 9 – at Alabama
Sept. 16 – Northern Illinois

Big Ten Home Games

Michigan
Minnesota
Rutgers
Washington
Wisconsin

Big Ten Away Games

Illinois
Maryland
Penn State
UCLA