Ohio State opens its 2026 season as a heavy favorite against Ball State on September 5 at Ohio Stadium, with the first-ever meeting between the programs. The Buckeyes enter as a preseason top-ranked team featuring returning standouts like quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, plus a roster with 51 new faces after significant turnover. Ball State, coming off a 4-8 campaign that ranked near the bottom nationally in scoring offense, faces a massive talent and depth gap in its nonconference opener. Recent injury recoveries for Ohio State running backs and the move of senior day festivities to this game underscore preparation focus, while Ball State’s MAC outlook and offensive reset at quarterback limit realistic competitiveness in Columbus.
In the upcoming college football game, scheduled for September 5 at 12:30PM ET:
If Ball State wins, the market will resolve to "Ball State".
If Ohio State wins, the market will resolve to "Ohio State".
If the game is postponed, this market will remain open until the game has been completed.
If the game is canceled entirely or ends in a tie, with no make-up game, this market will resolve 50-50.
