Ohio State Football: Early preview of 2018 schedule

A team’s success can be determined by where and when they play certain opponents. With that in mind, let’s look at the 2018 Ohio State football schedule.

Beyond talent and coaching, the fortunes of the Ohio State football team in recent seasons have been dependent upon the schedule.

In 2016, playing Wisconsin and Penn State in back-to-back road night games was grueling and it caught up to the Buckeyes late in the fourth quarter against the Nittany Lions.

Last year, after an emotional win over Penn State, the team fell flat on the road at Iowa the next week losing 55-24 that put a dagger in the season.

What will 2018 bring? Here’s an early preview of the Buckeyes’ schedule.

September

While there are some duds early in the year, including Oregon State and Tulane, Ohio State will play at TCU and Penn State.

The last time the Buckeyes played two Top 25 teams in September was 2006. They defeated  Texas and Penn State, finished the regular season undefeated and played in the BCS Championship Game that year.

If Ohio State wants to make the College Football Playoff this year, it must win both games.

October

The middle month, typically a grind, should be drama free.  The Buckeyes host Indiana and Minnesota, then head to West Lafayette to play what should be a pretty scrappy Purdue team.

The month ends with their bye week.