Eric Boggs
Ohio State will make its second appearance in FOX’s nationally televised noon slot this season when the Buckeyes take on Nebraska on October 26. Earlier this season, the Buckeyes dominated Marshall 49-14 in a Week 4 matchup on September 21, also aired by FOX. Looking ahead, Ohio State’s highly anticipated rivalry game against Michigan is scheduled for the same noon time slot on November 30, also on FOX.
As for Ohio State’s other upcoming games, the kick-off times and television assignments for their matchups against No. 3 Penn State on November 2, Purdue on November 9, Northwestern at Wrigley Field on November 16, and No. 16 Indiana on November 23 have yet to be confirmed.
Coming off their bye week, Ohio State (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) will face Nebraska (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) in just the 11th meeting between the two programs. Ohio State holds a commanding 9-1 lead in the all-time series. The most recent encounter between these two teams took place during the 2021 season, when then-quarterback C.J. Stroud and star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the Buckeyes to a 26-17 victory at Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium on November 6, 2021. Stroud put on an impressive performance, completing 36 of 54 passes for 405 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, while Smith-Njigba hauled in 15 receptions for 240 yards and a touchdown.
The last time Nebraska visited Columbus was on October 24, 2020, in the opening game of the COVID-19-shortened season. Ohio State, led by quarterback Justin Fields, cruised to a 52-17 win in an empty Ohio Stadium. Fields had a near-perfect day, completing 20 of 21 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns, setting the tone for a dominant season.
This year, Nebraska enters the game led by true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, a former five-star prospect who originally committed to Ohio State in 2022 before decommitting and eventually flipping his commitment twice—first to Georgia and then to Nebraska in 2023. The Cornhuskers will be seeking their first victory over Ohio State since October 8, 2011, when Bo Pelini’s squad engineered a 21-point second-half comeback to defeat a Braxton Miller-led Ohio State team 34-27 in Nebraska’s first-ever Big Ten home game.
Nebraska, now under the guidance of head coach Matt Rhule, boasts one of the nation’s top defenses, ranking seventh in both scoring defense and rushing defense. The Cornhuskers are allowing just 11.3 points and 84.2 rushing yards per game, though those numbers could shift after they face No. 16 Indiana this coming Saturday.
For Ohio State fans, this matchup against Nebraska marks another crucial step in the Buckeyes’ pursuit of Big Ten supremacy and a College Football Playoff berth. While Nebraska’s defense will present a challenge, Ohio State’s high-powered offense and the experience of playing in big games give them an edge. All eyes will be on head coach Ryan Day and his ability to keep the team focused and sharp as they navigate the second half of the season.
