| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
| Ball State | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Ohio State | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 56 |
Final. Saturday, September 5, 2026. Kicked off 12:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
No. 1 Ohio State opens at the Horseshoe against Ball State in the first meeting between the schools. Ryan Day’s Buckeyes start the year atop the AP poll with a trip to Texas next Saturday; Ball State went 4 and 8 last year and is replacing its top seven tacklers and its quarterback.
| Kickoff | 12:30 p.m. ET · 11:30 a.m. CT · 10:30 a.m. MT · 9:30 a.m. PT |
| TV | Big Ten Network |
| Streaming | Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Sling with the sports add on |
| Venue | Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio |
| Line | Ohio State by 49.5 at the open, one of the largest spreads of the season; total 54.5. Check yours before kickoff. |
Prediction and Odds
Fifty points is a lot to lay even for the No. 1 team, and Day tends to pull starters early in September when Texas is the next game. The relevant history: Ohio State hung 77 on Toledo in 2022 and 63 on Western Kentucky in 2023, so the Buckeyes can get there if the starters play into the third quarter. Ball State’s problem is its own offense, which averaged 15.8 points a game last year, meaning the total depends almost entirely on Ohio State. We like a comfortable rout that lands just short of the number.
Our pick: Ohio State 52, Ball State 3. Ohio State wins; Ball State covers 49.5; over 54.5 hits.
Why This One Matters
It is the first look at the top ranked team and at whichever quarterback Day starts, one week before Ohio State goes to Austin as a 1.5 point underdog. For Ball State it is a paycheck and a chance to get two transfer quarterbacks live reps before MAC play.
How to Watch Without Cable
Big Ten Network is in the base packages of Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV Stream, and on Sling with the sports extra add on. More in our streaming guide.
The Bottom Line
Ball State at Ohio State kicks off at 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday, September 5 on Big Ten Network. Ohio State is our pick in a rout that falls a touchdown short of the spread. Result on our live scoreboard.