Ohio State’s final nonconference opponent arrives this weekend before Big Ten play begins.
Calling Ohio a “cupcake” might be a stretch considering the way its season has opened. The Bobcats nearly upset Rutgers on the road in a 34-31 loss, then followed up with a 17-10 win over West Virginia — one of their biggest regular-season victories in years.
An in-state opponent has never beaten Ohio State in the Horseshoe, and the Buckeyes have a 47-game win streak over Ohio teams, but the Bobcats arrive in Columbus confident and battle-tested. They’ll bring a dual-threat quarterback and a defense fresh off smothering the Mountaineers, both of which could challenge the Buckeyes before Big Ten play begins.
For Ohio State, though, anything short of dominance will feel underwhelming. This is the final tune-up before conference action, and the expectation will be to iron out details, build momentum, and give younger players valuable reps.
“They’re a really good team. We’re not gonna underestimate them,” linebacker Payton Pierce said Wednesday. “They play fast, got a fast quarterback. We’re just gonna do our job. It’s never really about them. It’s about us.”
Eleven Warriors has you covered with live updates, key moments, and all the sights and sounds from before, during and after the game in the Ohio State vs. Ohio Live Hub.
The Buckeyes Have Arrived
Brutus is all business pic.twitter.com/zJfiFavADo
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 13, 2025
WR1 at Ohio State. WR1 in college football. pic.twitter.com/Cnb9MDQvy2
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 13, 2025
SEPT 13, 2025
"We Gotta Kick Some Ass"
Carnell Tate said Ohio State is “going to dominate from the first play to the last play” and Ryan Day says “we gotta kick some ass“ at Skull Session before the Ohio game.
SEPT 13, 2025
Bennett Christian Out, All Starters Available
Rotational tight end Bennett Christian is out for Ohio State's game against Ohio, but the Buckeyes' starters all remain available.
SEPT 12, 2025
Last Call: Ohio
We discuss our biggest questions, pick some of the top players we’ll be watching and make some predictions for what we’ll see when Ohio State hosts Ohio on Saturday night.
SEPT 12, 2025
Last Call: Ohio
Ohio will provide stiffer resistance than Grambling State with a Power 4 win and a dual-threat QB, but Ohio State still holds a big talent advantage in its final nonconference game.
SEPT 11, 2025
Ohio Game Trailer
The Buckeyes fight for the Brotherhood, for Ohio State and for the great state of Ohio.
SEPT 11, 2025
Ohio Q&A with Cam Robertson
Athens Messenger sports editor Cam Robertson thinks Ohio is the “team to beat” in the MAC and the Bobcats will put up a fight vs. Ohio State before the Buckeyes pull away.
SEPT 10, 2025
Day: "Well-Coached" Ohio Will "Play Hard" in the Shoe
Ryan Day compliments the Ohio football program and head coach Brian Smith, calling the Bobcats a "well-coached" team who will come to the Shoe and "play hard" on Saturday.
SEPT 10, 2025
Mic Check: Ohio
Ryan Day lamented the punt return unit's performance last Saturday versus Grambling State. Truth be told, the unit has underperformed for years.
SEPT 10, 2025
Your Ohio Game Poster
Look out, Rufus. Brutus has been waiting a long time for payback.
SEPT 8, 2025
Five Things to Know About Ohio
Ohio provides a step back up in competition for the Buckeyes with dynamic dual-threat quarterback Parker Navarro, but the Bobcats should be one last tune-up before Big Ten play.
