Ohio State football: The next 10 years of non-conference showdowns

Going into the start of each season, it is always exciting to see non-conference matchups on the Ohio State football team’s schedule.

The Buckeyes were scheduled to travel out west for a highly anticipated matchup against the Oregon Ducks this past season until all non-conference games were canceled due to the pandemic. The showdowns between the Buckeyes and a competitive opponent outside of the Big Ten is always highly anticipated and of greater magnitude compared to conference games.

In the non-conference games over the last few seasons against Oklahoma, TCU, and the Cincinnati Bearcats, each game was highly anticipated, and there seem to be more on the line in each of these games.

For the next 10 years, the Buckeyes have a lineup of non-conference matchups that you will not want to miss.

Here are the non-conference showdowns through 2031:

2021:
Oregon at Ohio Stadium

2022:
Notre Dame at Ohio Stadium

2023:
At Notre Dame

2024:
At Washington

2025:
Texas at Ohio Stadium
Washington at Ohio Stadium

2026:
At Texas
Boston College at Ohio Stadium

2027:
At Boston College
Alabama at Ohio Stadium

2028:
At Alabama

2030:
At Georgia

2031:
Georgia at Ohio Stadium

Assuming the Buckeyes continue their dominance in the Big Ten, these non-conference games will add even greater value to the Buckeyes’ resume in their annual quests to reach the College Football Playoff.

For fans across the country, these showdowns will be fun trips to different cities and even better reunions in Columbus to watch the Buckeyes alongside many family and friends. This is of course assuming fans can watch games in person anytime soon.

Obviously, there are some big-time teams that the Buckeyes will be facing over the next few years. It’s unfortunate that Oregon didn’t get to host Ohio State in 2020. That would have been fun for fans to see.