The Ohio State Buckeyes will open the 2027 season at home against the Bowling Green Falcons, FBSchedules.com has learned.
Ohio State had previously been scheduled to host Bowling Green on September 4, 2027, a matchup that was originally scheduled to be played in 2020 but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, August 28 became the new Week 1 for all Division I teams next season following the NCAA’s formal adoption of a uniform 14‑week regular season. That announcement left both schools with a Week 1 opening.
That opening has now been filled, as the game has been shifted forward to August 28, 2027, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, according to an amendment obtained from Bowling Green State University via a state open records request. Ohio will pay Bowling Green a $1.8 million guarantee for the game.
The teams first met in 1992. In their most recent matchup in 2016, Ohio State rolled to a 77–10 victory, extending its undefeated series lead to 5–0.
Following the Bowling Green opener, Ohio State is scheduled to host New Hampshire on Sept. 11 and Alabama on Sept. 18.
In Big Ten play, the Buckeyes will host Michigan State, Nebraska, Purdue, and USC, and will travel to Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Oregon, and Rutgers.
Bowling Green, meanwhile, is set to visit Iowa State on Sept. 4, a game recently moved up from Sept. 18. The Falcons will host Rhode Island on Sept. 11 and travel to Marshall on Sept. 25.
