Ohio State Football Schedule: Buckeyes' Week 9 Bye and Upcoming Games

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Ohio State football’s been on a tear in the 2025 college football season, looking almost untouchable compared to most other programs. After a commanding 34-0 win over Wisconsin, the Buckeyes roll into their second bye week at a perfect 7-0.

That win keeps them among just five undefeated Power 4 teams left. With Penn State looming on the schedule, it’s a good time to look back at what’s worked—and what’s next.

Table of Contents

Ohio State’s Impressive Season So Far

In eight weeks, Ohio State’s shown off a mix of explosive offense and a defense that’s just plain stingy. Redshirt freshman Julian Sayin has taken over at quarterback, picking up right where Will Howard left off.

Sayin’s play has been eye-catching. He’s now got the third-best odds for the Heisman at +400 on BetMGM.

Offensive Highlights

Sayin’s poise and decision-making have kept the Buckeyes humming. They’ve put up points on everyone they’ve faced, with a few wins that really stand out:

August 30: No. 2 Ohio State 14, No. 1 Texas 7
September 6: No. 1 Ohio State 70, Grambling State 0
September 13: No. 1 Ohio State 37, Ohio 9
September 27: No. 1 Ohio State 24, Washington 6
October 4: No. 1 Ohio State 42, Minnesota 3
October 11: No. 1 Ohio State 34, No. 17 Illinois 16
October 18: No. 1 Ohio State 34, Wisconsin 0

Defensive Dominance

Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has these guys locked in. The defense leads the country in a bunch of categories:

Red Zone Defense: 50%
Scoring Defense: 5.86 points per game
Third Down Conversion Percentage Defense: 21.3%
Total Defense: 216.9 yards per game (second in the country)

Upcoming Challenges

Coming off the bye, Ohio State’s got some big games ahead. Penn State is up next on November 1, and it’s a noon kickoff at the Horseshoe.

That one’s got some extra drama. Jim Knowles, who used to run Ohio State’s defense, is now coordinating for Penn State.

Penn State’s Struggles

Penn State hasn’t had an easy year. They’re just 3-4 overall, and winless in the Big Ten.

Terry Smith is the interim head coach after James Franklin was let go. Their starting quarterback, Drew Allar, is out for the season, so now it’s Ethan Grunkemeyer’s show.

Remaining Schedule

After Penn State, the Buckeyes have a few more hurdles before the postseason:

November 8: at Purdue
November 15: vs. UCLA
November 22: vs. Rutgers
November 29: at No. 24 Michigan

The regular season wraps with Michigan, and that game’s always circled in red. With Michigan sitting at No. 24, it could be even bigger than usual for playoff hopes.

Looking Ahead

Ohio State’s quest for another national championship is in full swing. Fans and analysts are glued to every game, wondering if this team can really keep up their dominance.

The Buckeyes have a pretty balanced squad. They’re making noise on both sides of the ball, so a deep playoff run definitely feels possible.

If you want more details on Ohio State’s season and what’s next, check out the Dispatch.

We’ll keep following their journey through the 2025 college football season. There’s always something new to watch for with this team.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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