If you're waking up today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, wondering what time is Ohio State football on today, I have some news that might be a little tough to swallow. There is no game.
The Buckeyes are officially done for the season.
I know, it feels weird. Usually, mid-January is when the air gets crisp and the stakes get high. But the reality of the new College Football Playoff (CFP) format means the schedule moves fast, and unfortunately for the Scarlet and Gray, the road ended a couple of weeks ago in Arlington.
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The Reality of What Time Is Ohio State Football on Today
Right now, the search for the Ohio State kickoff time is hitting a wall because the team was eliminated in the CFP Quarterfinals. They faced off against the Miami Hurricanes on December 31, 2025, at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
It was a rough night at AT&T Stadium. Despite a dominant regular season where Ryan Day's squad went 12-1 and crushed Michigan (again), the postseason didn't go to plan. Miami took that game 24-14, effectively ending the Buckeyes' run and sending fans home earlier than anyone expected.
Since it’s Wednesday, you won't find any college football on your TV tonight anyway. Even if Ohio State were still in the hunt, the big games are reserved for the weekends or the upcoming Monday night slot.
What’s Actually Happening in College Football Right Now?
The rest of the country is currently gearing up for the National Championship Game. That’s happening on Monday, January 19, 2026.
If you want to see who’s playing for the trophy, it’s a matchup that would have made a 2024 fan’s head spin:
- No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami
- Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
- TV: ESPN
Seeing Indiana at the top of the heap is... something else. Curt Cignetti has done the impossible in Bloomington. Meanwhile, Miami—the team that knocked Ohio State out—is trying to complete a Cinderella run as a double-digit seed.
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Where Did the Season Go?
Looking back, this season was a rollercoaster. Ohio State looked invincible for about three months. They handled Texas in the opener. They absolutely dismantled Penn State and Nebraska.
But things started to wobble in December. The Big Ten Championship game was a heartbreaker—a 13-10 loss to Indiana. That result actually cost the Buckeyes the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. Instead, they had to grind it out, and the fatigue seemed to show when they hit the Cotton Bowl against a very fast Miami defense.
Buckeyes Basketball is the Pivot
Since there is no football game to watch, most fans are flipping over to the hardwood. Honestly, the basketball team is doing their best to fill the void.
In fact, tonight—January 14, 2026—the Ohio State women’s basketball team is actually playing. They’re hosting Penn State at the Value City Arena.
- Tip-off: 6:30 PM ET
- How to watch: B1G+
The men’s team is also deep in Big Ten play, so if you're looking for that "O-H" fix, that's where you're going to find it.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Since the question of what time is Ohio State football on today results in a big zero, we have to look toward the fall. The 2026 schedule is already looking like a gauntlet.
The Buckeyes open up on September 5, 2026, against Ball State. But the real date everyone has circled is the following week. On September 12, Ohio State travels to Austin for a massive rematch against the Texas Longhorns.
With the 12-team playoff becoming the permanent norm, every one of these out-of-conference games feels like a playoff preview. The margin for error has changed. You can lose a game and survive, but as we saw this year, losing at the wrong time (like the Big Ten title game) can ruin your seeding and lead to a bad matchup in the quarterfinals.
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Actionable Steps for Buckeyes Fans
While you can’t watch a game today, you can stay ahead of the curve for the next season.
- Check the Portal: The winter transfer portal window is wide open. Keep an eye on the defensive line—the Buckeyes are expected to be aggressive there.
- National Championship Scouting: Watch the Miami vs. Indiana game on Monday night. It’ll give you a good look at the two programs that gave Ohio State the most trouble this year.
- Ticket Deposits: 2026 season ticket deposits are usually starting around this time of year for public boosters.
- Watch the Women’s Team: Catch the Penn State game tonight at 6:30 PM ET on B1G+ if you need a competitive fix.
The wait for September feels long, but the off-season in the current era of college football is almost as busy as the season itself.