So, you’re looking for the ohio state football score from yesterday, and honestly, I get the confusion. We are deep into January 2026, and usually, this is when the big boys are still duking it out for a national title. But if you checked the scoreboard yesterday, Wednesday, January 14, you probably noticed a big fat zero where the football score should be.
The Buckeyes didn't play yesterday.
While the No. 14 Ohio State women's basketball team was busy absolutely torching Penn State 108-84 at the Schottenstein Center, the football team has been in "offseason mode" for nearly two weeks. It feels weird, doesn't it? After the run they had, seeing the season end before the semi-finals just feels wrong to most fans in Columbus.
What Happened to the 2025-2026 Season?
To find the last actual football game, we have to look back to New Year's Eve. Ohio State entered the College Football Playoff quarterfinals as the No. 2 seed, looking like a lock for a deep run. Then the Cotton Bowl happened.
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The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes pulled off a massive 24-14 upset that basically sucked the air out of Ohio Stadium. It wasn't just the loss; it was how it happened. Julian Sayin, who had been spectacular all year, got harassed all night. He threw for 287 yards and a touchdown to Jeremiah Smith, but those five sacks and two interceptions—including a brutal Jakobe Thomas pick to seal it—were the story.
Since that game on December 31, there hasn't been an ohio state football score from yesterday or any other day because the Buckeyes are watching the rest of the playoff from their couches.
The Transfer Portal Chaos is the Real Scoreboard
Even though there are no games, the "score" in the transfer portal is where the real action is happening right now. Yesterday was actually a huge day for roster news.
- Austin Siereveld is back. The left tackle announced yesterday (January 14) that he’s returning for his redshirt junior season. This is massive. He didn't allow a single sack in over 800 snaps last year.
- Carson Hinzman is staying. The center is sticking around for a fifth year. He was clearly ticked off about how the offensive line played against Miami and Indiana, and he's coming back to "steer the ship."
- The Portal Mass Exodus. On the flip side, the Buckeyes have lost a staggering 30 players to the portal so far. That’s a program high.
It’s a weird era. You’ve got legendary linebacker James Laurinaitis getting his flowers—he was just named to the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class yesterday—while the current roster is basically being rebuilt through a revolving door.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Schedule
Since there was no game yesterday, fans are already circling dates for next season. If you think the 2025 schedule was a grind, 2026 is looking like a nightmare.
The Buckeyes open at home against Ball State, but Week 2 is the one everyone is talking about: a road trip to Austin to face the Texas Longhorns. Then you’ve got road games at Nebraska, Iowa, and USC. Plus, they have to travel to Bloomington to face Indiana, who—let's be real—is currently the "big brother" in the Big Ten after their undefeated run this year.
Why the Post-Season Feels Different Now
The expanded 12-team playoff changed everything. In the old days, a New Year's Eve loss meant you were just done. Now, because the playoffs stretch into late January, people expect games every week.
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Yesterday's "score" was really just a win for the basketball team and a win for the recruiting trail. Ryan Day is currently sitting with the No. 2 overall team ranking for 2026, trailing Texas by less than a point. They just landed two former Alabama defenders, Qua Russaw and James Smith, which should help soften the blow of losing Caleb Downs to the NFL.
Actionable Steps for Buckeyes Fans
If you're bummed about the lack of a game, here is how you can stay locked in as the offseason officially begins:
- Watch the National Championship: Set your calendar for Monday, January 19, 2026. Since Ohio State isn't there, you can at least scope out the competition for next year.
- Monitor the Portal: The transfer portal closes in a few days. Keep an eye on the defensive backfield, as that’s where the Buckeyes are currently thinnest after several NFL departures.
- Check the Basketball Schedule: If you need a Scarlet and Gray fix, the women's team plays No. 10 TCU this Monday in the Coretta Scott King Classic.
The season might be over, but the work to ensure there is a score to report this time next year is already well underway.