Ohio State football's 2025 schedule is filled with high-level matchups. Does one overlooked matchup serve as a prime trap game candidate?
In ranked matchups, the Buckeyes usually have a chance to win. Against struggling foes, Ohio State typically cruises. Former Ohio State football lineman Kirk Barton charged with aggravated vehicular manslaughter after a fatal car accident: Buckeye Breakfast Ohio State quarterback commit Brady Edmunds on why he picked the Buckeyes, and his favorite OSU QB: Buckeye Talk podcastOhio State beat Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinals on Jan.
10. Ten days later, the Buckeyes beat Notre Dame in the title game.A lowly opponent a week after a high-profile game can sometimes create a scare. But the talent gap between a Big Ten power and a Southwestern Athletic Conference school that hasn’t won a conference title since 2017 is too big for this to be a trap.Ohio State will enter its Week 3 matchup vs. Ohio with a bye week, and the start of Big Ten play, on the horizon. It’ll be easy to look ahead, even against an in-state opponent, which could create a problem. The Bobcats won the Mid-American Conference title last year and return starting quarterback Parker Navarro.Coming off a bye week, Ohio State should have its focus in check for its first road game of the season — particularly if Washington is 3-0 coming off a win against Washington State.While Illinois carries lofty preseason expectations, Minnesota is actually ranked higher in ESPN’s preseason College Football Power Index rankings. This could mean the Gophers are a sleeper in the Big Ten. Sandwiched between a trip to Washington and a likely ranked matchup at Illinois, Ohio State could be facing a trap game on Oct. 4.Illinois won 10 games last season and, if it can manage a tricky schedule to open 2025, could be ranked in the top 15 when Ohio State comes to town.Ohio State fans know Luke Fickell and saw him succeed as a head coach at Cincinnati. That success hasn’t followed to Wisconsin where Fickell is starting to face some pressure with a daunting 2025 schedule looming. However, this Oct. 18 matchup gives Fickell a chance to make a statement against the reigning champs who might be looking ahead to a bye week and a high-level matchup vs. Penn State.Penn State might be the Big Ten’s best team this season, and their defensive coordinator is Jim Knowles.Purdue should be significantly better than last season, but it’s still difficult to imagine the Boilermakers taking a big enough stride to compete with Ohio State. Even after an emotional matchup with Penn State, OSU should have no problem getting out of Indiana with a win.Ohio State’s five game stretch after its second bye week is interesting because its bookended by games vs. Penn State and Michigan. That makes the middle three games interesting, particularly this Nov. 15 matchup with UCLA. The Bruins made noise this offseason by adding former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava. If he plays like the five-star prospect he was in 2023, UCLA could be trouble.Oftentimes, matchups before rivalry week are perfect for a trap game. That hasn’t been the case for Ohio State under Day, though. Last year, Ohio State dominated Indiana before facing Michigan. Minnesota and Michigan State suffered similar fates in previous years. Maybe Rutgers can change that trend, but it’s unlikely.Ohio State has lost four straight game against its biggest rival. It would be criminal to label this as a trap game.The trap game debate for Ohio State likely resides between Wisconsin and UCLA, and maybe you’d lean toward the road game being the scarier one.Nebraska came into Ohio Stadium last year and nearly won. Maryland, despite a lop-sided final score, did something similar in 2023.If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
With College Football Playoff Experience, Luke Montgomery Could Anchor Ohio State's Offensive Line in 2025Luke Montgomery impressed Tyler Bowen with his physicality this spring as the junior's time to anchor the Ohio State offensive line could be at hand.
Read more »
How Ohio State football’s Jeremiah Smith added to his stardom before the 2025 seasonOhio State football's Jeremiah Smith added to his stardom heading into the 2025 season.
Read more »
Texas-Ohio State, Iowa-Iowa State highlight FOX Sports 2025 college football slateFOX announced which games would be featured on 'Big Noon Saturday' for the first three weeks of the season, along with its full 'FOX College Football Friday' schedule and Week 1 slate.
Read more »
OHSAA state track 2025: Who won state titles for NE Ohio on Friday?There was only one state champion from NE Ohio crowned Friday at the OHSAA state track and field meet.
Read more »
OHSAA girls state track 2025: Who won state titles for NE Ohio on Saturday?See which Northeast Ohio girls track and field athletes won state championships on Saturday.
Read more »
OHSAA boys state track 2025: Who won state titles for NE Ohio on Saturday?After a slow start to Day 2 of the OHSAA boys state track and field meet, several athletes boys brought gold back to Northeast Ohio.
Read more »