Eric Boggs
Ohio State vs. Oregon is officially set for primetime, with the Buckeyes’ highly anticipated road game against the Ducks scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on NBC. The primetime slot had been expected for months, especially after Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt hinted last month that NBC would broadcast the game. However, it wasn’t officially confirmed by NBC, the Big Ten, or either school until Monday.
The game, which takes place on Oct. 12 at Autzen Stadium, will kick off at 4:30 p.m. local time in Eugene, with sunset at 6:32 p.m., meaning the first half will be played under daylight. For Ohio State fans in Columbus, it will be their third 7:30 p.m. game of the season, following matchups against Western Michigan and Michigan State. However, this will be the first time the Buckeyes appear on NBC’s broadcast network this season.
This highly anticipated showdown between Ohio State and Oregon marks the Buckeyes’ fourth national network broadcast this year. In addition to their primetime games, Ohio State has had two 3:30 p.m. CBS games against Akron and Iowa, with a noon game against Marshall airing on FOX.
Both Ohio State and Oregon are currently undefeated at 4-0, and if they take care of business in their upcoming games, this matchup will feature two top-10 teams. Ohio State enters this week ranked third in the AP poll ahead of their game against Iowa, while Oregon sits at sixth as they prepare to face Michigan State.
Historically, Ohio State has dominated the all-time series against Oregon, leading 9-1. The teams first met in the 1957 Rose Bowl, and their most recent encounter was in 2021 when Oregon stunned the Buckeyes with a 35-28 victory in Columbus. One of the most notable games between the two was in 2015, when Ohio State defeated Oregon 42-20 in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Ohio State’s trip to Eugene will be their second-ever road game at Oregon. Their first visit came in 1967, during Autzen Stadium’s inaugural season, when the Buckeyes earned a 30-0 win.
Oregon football has its own storied history, with nine members of the program inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and six Ducks in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including legendary quarterbacks Norm Van Brocklin and Dan Fouts. Additionally, Marcus Mariota is the only Duck to win the prestigious Heisman Trophy.
This upcoming primetime clash promises to be another thrilling chapter in the history between these two powerhouse programs.
