Ball State Cardinals to Face Ohio State Buckeyes in Season Opener

The Ball State Cardinals are set to compete against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. ET at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Ohio State enters the game as the preseason No. 1 team, led by quarterback Julian Sayin, who had an impressive 2025 season with 3,610 passing yards and 32 touchdowns. The Buckeyes had the highest completion rate in the nation last year at 76.7%, while Ball State struggled, finishing with the fewest total yards in Division I at 2,551. Ohio State is heavily favored by 50.5 points, with a total set at 56.5.

Ball State, under coach Mike Uremovich in his second year, is looking to improve after a challenging season. Quarterback Mizzell, who previously threw for 2,889 yards and 28 touchdowns at Division II Concord, will face a significant challenge in his first game at the FBS level. Ohio State's defense, while replacing key players from last year's championship team, remains formidable. The matchup will test Mizzell's ability to perform against a top-tier opponent.