Ball State vs Ohio State: How to Watch & Time

Ohio State begins its 2026 college football season at home against Ball State on Saturday, September 5. The matchup features the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes against a Ball State team looking to make an early statement against one of the nation’s top programs.

The game takes place at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET.

How to Watch Ball State vs. Ohio State

Fans looking to watch the Ohio State vs. Ball State game have several options.

• Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
• Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. ET
• Venue: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
• TV Channel: BTN
• Streaming: FOX One

Ohio State enters the game as a massive favorite. The Buckeyes opened as roughly 50-point favorites, showing the gap between the two teams on paper.

Ohio State Opens the Season as No. 1

Ohio State starts the 2026 season ranked No. 1 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll. The Buckeyes also carry significant momentum into the new campaign.

Ohio State has won its last 26 season-opening games. That is the longest active streak in the country. Head coach Ryan Day has also never lost a season opener during his Ohio State tenure.

The Buckeyes are coming off a national championship season. However, there are plenty of changes to the roster. Ohio State has 51 new players and a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith.

That makes the Ball State game an important opportunity to establish rhythm before a much tougher Week 2 matchup against Texas.

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Julian Sayin Leads the Ohio State Offense

Quarterback Julian Sayin is one of the key players to watch for the Buckeyes.

Sayin produced 3,610 passing yards and 32 touchdowns during the 2025 season. Ohio State also led the country in completion percentage last year at 76.7%.

The Buckeyes will look to maintain that efficiency against Ball State. With a difficult game against Texas coming next week, Ohio State could use Saturday’s contest to test its new offensive structure.

Jeremiah Smith Remains a Major Threat

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is another major storyline entering the game.

Smith had an outstanding 2025 season. He recorded 1,315 receiving yards and 15 touchdown catches. His combination of size, speed and route-running makes him one of the most dangerous offensive players in college football.

Ball State’s defense faces a major challenge in trying to contain him. Ohio State also has other talented receivers, including Brandon Inniss, Devin McCuin and Kyle Parker.

Freshman Chris Henry Jr. could also attract plenty of attention. The highly regarded recruit stands 6-foot-5 and has impressed Ohio State coaches during the offseason.

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Ball State’s Tyler Mizzell Faces a Huge Test

Ball State will rely on quarterback Tyler Mizzell as it takes on the nation’s top-ranked team.

Mizzell previously played at Division II Concord, where he threw for 2,889 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. He also recorded five games with at least 300 passing yards.

However, facing Ohio State represents a major jump in competition.

The Buckeyes lost several important defensive players to the NFL after their championship run. Still, Ohio State has plenty of returning talent and new additions ready to step up.

Ohio State’s New-Look Defense

Ohio State’s defense will also be worth watching.

More than a dozen Buckeyes defensive players have been selected in the NFL Draft over the past two years. That includes the entire starting defensive unit from the 2025 national championship game against Notre Dame.

Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia returns for his second season. He will look to players such as Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Jermaine Matthews Jr., Devin Sanchez and Payton Pierce to lead the new-look unit.

Ohio State also added defensive end John Walker, linebacker Christian Alliegro and safety Earl Little Jr. through the transfer portal.

Prediction and What to Expect

Ohio State is heavily favored, and the matchup appears one-sided on paper. Ball State will need an exceptional performance to stay competitive.

For Ohio State, the bigger goal is preparation. The Buckeyes need to build confidence, evaluate new players and avoid injuries before traveling to face Texas.

The game will also include a special moment for Ohio State fans. Former Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel is scheduled to be inducted into the Ohio Stadium Ring of Honor. Tressel coached Ohio State to the 2002 national championship and won 106 games during his tenure.

With a top-ranked team, talented returning stars and several new faces, Ohio State’s season opener should provide plenty of storylines to follow.