The Buckeyes open by hosting the Ball State Cardinals, a team they have never faced before.
Ball State was 4-8 in 2025. They finished the shortened 2020 season at 7-1 after achieving their first and only bowl victory that year over San Jose State, and actually finished at #23 in the AP poll. Since then they have had 5 straight losing seasons.
In 2008 they were 12-2 under Brady Hoke, who then went to San Diego State for 2 seasons before getting the head job for TTUN.
Ball State was 4-8 in 2025. They finished the shortened 2020 season at 7-1 after achieving their first and only bowl victory that year over San Jose State, and actually finished at #23 in the AP poll. Since then they have had 5 straight losing seasons.
In 2008 they were 12-2 under Brady Hoke, who then went to San Diego State for 2 seasons before getting the head job for TTUN.