Controversy Erupts as Ohio State’s 2025 Football Schedule Raises Eyebrows Across College Football

In a move that’s igniting intense discussion throughout the college football world, the release of the Ohio State Buckeyes’ 2025 football schedule has become one of the most polarizing topics of the offseason. While Buckeye Nation remains hopeful and energized, critics and rival fanbases are questioning whether the new slate of opponents provides the powerhouse program with an unfair advantage on the path to the College Football Playoff.

The 2025 schedule, revealed earlier this week, features a lineup that some believe lacks the strength and competitive weight expected of a top-tier team. Among the criticisms is the perceived imbalance between home and away games, the limited number of marquee matchups, and the scheduling of opponents currently in rebuilding phases. As debate spreads across sports networks and social media platforms, the question looms large: does this schedule give Ohio State a smoother path than its peers?

Ohio State’s 2025 campaign opens with a series of home games that, while favorable for the Buckeyes’ comfort, have drawn scrutiny for their level of challenge. Non-conference play includes a matchup with UConn, a team that’s improved in recent seasons but is still far from elite status. The other out-of-conference opponents—Ball State and Ohio University—do little to bolster strength of schedule, according to critics.

Big Ten play doesn’t ease the controversy. While the Buckeyes will face traditional conference foes like Michigan, Penn State, and Iowa, the timing and location of these games may play into Ohio State’s hands. For instance, they’ll meet Michigan at home and have bye weeks conveniently placed before key contests. Additionally, there’s growing sentiment that several of their Big Ten opponents, including Northwestern and Rutgers, may not pose much of a challenge in 2025 due to roster turnover and coaching transitions.

College football experts wasted no time weighing in. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum didn’t hold back, saying, “When you’re talking about a program with Ohio State’s resources and recruiting power, you expect a gauntlet—not a runway.”

Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt had a different view, defending the Buckeyes: “You can only play who’s on the schedule. Ohio State’s non-conference games may not look tough on paper, but the Big Ten is always a war. You throw in Penn State, Michigan, and some rising programs, and it’s not exactly a walk in the park.”

Fans are just as divided. On social media, some rival fanbases have labeled the Buckeyes’ schedule a “cakewalk” while others argue that the team is unfairly targeted for scrutiny because of its national profile. Ohio State fans, meanwhile, have pointed out that the program consistently finishes among the top in recruiting and performance, suggesting they don’t need a soft” schedule to succeed.

This isn’t the first time Ohio State’s schedule has come under fire. Over the past decade, several seasons have seen them criticized for perceived schedule manipulation, especially in years when out-of-conference games seemed to lack star power. However, in most of those cases, the Buckeyes proved themselves on the field—often beating ranked teams decisively and earning playoff berths or near-playoff finishes.

Still, the expanded College Football Playoff beginning in 2025 adds a new layer of complexity. With 12 teams set to compete, strength of schedule and seeding will matter more than ever. A relatively light regular-season schedule could help Ohio State go undefeated or finish with one loss, but it may also hurt them in playoff seeding or in the eyes of the selection committee.

Some insiders speculate that the schedule is part of a strategic pivot, designed to maximize wins while minimizing risk in a year of transition. Whether that gamble pays off or backfires remains to be seen.

Head coach Ryan Day addressed the controversy during a press conference, defending his team’s 2025 slate.

Day also emphasized that player development, not just schedule strength, will determine success: “The playoffs don’t care about complaints—they care about results.”

As anticipation builds for the 2025 season, Ohio State’s schedule has become a national talking point—fuel for sports radio, fan forums, and analyst panels. Whether it ultimately proves to be an advantage, a liability, or simply another stretch of tough competition disguised as an “easy” road will depend on how the games actually unfold.