The Buckeyes will now face the University of Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 regular season
The Ohio State Buckeyes have long prided themselves on navigating one of the toughest schedules in college football, and 2025 is shaping up to be no exception. This week, an unexpected twist was added: a new non-conference opponent has been announced, and it’s raising eyebrows across the country.
The Buckeyes will now face the University of Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 regular season — a monumental clash that instantly becomes one of the most highly anticipated games of the year. Originally, Ohio State was set to face a Power Five opponent in a home-and-home series, but after scheduling issues and conference realignments scrambled several teams’ plans, Ohio State found itself needing a replacement. Alabama stepped up, creating a showdown that feels more like a College Football Playoff preview than a standard regular season game.
Ohio State’s 2025 schedule was already stacked, with Big Ten newcomers USC and UCLA set to appear as regular-season opponents alongside traditional conference powerhouses like Michigan and Penn State. Adding Alabama to that mix creates a gauntlet that could either forge a national champion or derail playoff dreams early.
What makes Alabama such a daunting addition isn’t just their pedigree — it’s the momentum they’re building. After a brief rebuilding period in the early 2020s, the Tide seem to be returning to their dominant form, fueled by top-ranked recruiting classes and the emergence of a new coaching staff that’s blending old-school physicality with modern offensive innovation. Alabama’s defense, in particular, has regained its intimidating reputation, featuring a front seven that rivals the best units in recent college football history.
Ohio State, of course, is no stranger to the spotlight. With head coach Ryan Day still at the helm and a roster full of NFL-caliber talent, the Buckeyes are well-equipped for a heavyweight matchup. Their offense remains lethal, led by a seasoned quarterback and a deep group of skill players. However, questions linger about the offensive line’s ability to hold up against elite pass rushes — exactly the type of pressure Alabama is likely to bring.
This matchup has broader implications beyond just win-loss records. With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, strength of schedule has never been more important. A loss in this game, while painful, wouldn’t automatically eliminate playoff hopes, but a win would be a massive boost to either team’s résumé.
Fans are already buzzing about what this means for the season as a whole. Ticket prices for the game, scheduled to be held at Ohio Stadium, have surged, and early projections suggest it could be one of the most-watched games of the year. Both programs have rabid fanbases and deep traditions, and when titans like these collide, anything can happen.
For Ohio State, the addition of Alabama is both a challenge and an opportunity. If they can survive the storm and emerge victorious, they could set themselves up for a special 2025 season. If not, the brutal schedule leaves little room for error in the months to follow.
Either way, college football fans are in for a new treat
