Photo by Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
Ohio State football 2017 schedule
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State begins its 2017 season, looking to bounce back from a College Football Playoff shutout against Clemson, with a Big Ten game. That's weird, but that's the new way the Big Ten is going.
So the Buckeyes open 2017 with a conference game on a Thursday night at Indiana. The non-conference slate includes games against Oklahoma, Army and UNLV. See Ohio State's entire 2017 football schedule here.
Photo by Jay LaPrete, Associated Press
At Indiana, Aug. 31
Kickoff: 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Indiana's 2016 record: 6-7
Ohio State's new offensive coordinator, Kevin Wilson, will get to go against his former team in the season opener. Wilson resigned as the Hoosiers' head coach in December 2016, and now he's running the Buckeyes' offense. This game is on a Thursday night in Bloomington, Ind. Read here why Ohio State agreed to play on Thursday. Quarterback Richard Lagow (photo) is back to pilot what should be a solid passing offense, and a good early test for Ohio State's young secondary.
Photo by Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press
Oklahoma, Sept. 9
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
TV: ABC
Oklahoma's 2016 record: 11-2
The Buckeyes won 45-24 at Oklahoma last year, so the Sooners will be thinking payback when they come to Columbus. Heisman candidate quarterback Baker Mayfield (photo) is back, but most of his favorite weapons are gone. Will this still be an explosive Oklahoma offense? Most likely. This will be a marquee game, and a College Football Playoff boost for whoever wins.
YouTube Video, GoArmyWestPoint
Army, Sept. 16
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m.
TV: Fox
Army's 2016 record: 8-5
This will be the first meeting ever between Ohio State and Army when the Black Knights come to Columbus.
YouTube video, Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV, Sept. 23
Kickoff: TBA
UNLV's 2016 record: 4-8
Another team that Ohio State has never played, UNLV makes the trek to Ohio Stadium from the desert to close out the non-conference schedule. UNLV is coached by Tony Sanchez, who coached at Bishop Gorman High School from 2009-2014. His brother is the head coach at Gorman now, and Ohio State is building a recruiting pipeline with the program.
Photo by Jay LaPrete, Associated Press
At Rutgers, Sept. 30
Kickoff: TBA
Rutgers' 2016 record: 2-10
How will Rutgers be in Year 2 under Chris Ash? It can't be much worse than last year when the Scarlet Knights won two games, lost all of their Big Ten games, and were shut out by Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State.
YouTube video, Big Ten Network
Maryland, Oct. 7
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. or 4:00 p.m.
TV: TBD
Maryland's 2016 record: 6-7
D.J. Durkin put together a bowl-eligible season in his first year with Maryland, and just signed the No. 18 recruiting class in the country. It's possible he's building something real in College Park, but when will Maryland be able to compete with the top teams in the Big Ten?
Photo by Nati Harnik, Associated Press
At Nebraska, Oct. 14
Kickoff: TBA
Nebraska's 2016 record: 9-4
Ohio State lost in its only other trip to Nebraska in 2011. This should be the first real raucous road environment Ohio State experiences in 2017. The Cornhuskers and coach Mike Riley (photo) will be looking to avenge a 62-3 loss in Columbus last year.
Photo by Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer
Penn State, Oct. 28
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.
TV: Fox
Penn State's 2016 record: 11-3
Penn State was the team that kept Ohio State out of the Big Ten Championship last year, and then the Nittany Lions went on to win the conference title themselves. Penn State is a trendy playoff pick for next year, returning possible Heisman candidates in quarterback Trace McSorley (photo) and running back Saquon Barkley. This is a potential top-10 matchup.
Photo by Matthew Putney, Associated Press
At Iowa, Nov. 4
Kickoff: TBA
Iowa's 2016 record: 8-5
Ohio State hasn't played in Iowa City since 2010, and hasn't lost there since 2004. Cross-over games against Iowa and Nebraska give Ohio State matchups against two of the best teams from the Big Ten West. Kirk Ferentz (photo) and the Hawkeyes will be looking to get back to the Big Ten Championship after losing in 2015.
Photo by Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer
Michigan State, Nov. 11
Kickoff: TBA
Michigan State's 2016 record: 3-9
How much of a jump will the Spartans make after an unexpected downturn in 2016? Having bruising running back LJ Scott (photo) back will help. Even in a down year, Michigan State still put a scare into Ohio State last year. Michigan State has won three of the last five matchups with the Buckeyes, including a win in Columbus in 2015 that ended Ohio State's playoff hopes.
YouTube video, Big Ten Network
Illinois, Nov. 18
Kickoff: TBA
Illinois' 2016 record: 3-9
Lovie Smith gets his first crack at Ohio State as the head coach at Illinois. The odds are stacked against him. Ohio State should be a big favorite against a team that's lost its last eight matchups with the Buckeyes. Maybe Illinois can catch an Ohio State team looking ahead to Michigan.
Photo by Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
At Michigan, Nov. 25
Kickoff: Noon
TV: Fox
Michigan's 2016 record: 10-3
Are we in for another overtime thriller when Jim Harbaugh (photo) and Urban Meyer meet for the third time? Ohio State won 42-13 the last time the Buckeyes trekked up to Ann Arbor. Ohio State hasn't lost at Michigan since 2011.
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