Buckeyes add Bowling Green to future nonconference slate

COLUMBUS — Ohio State is starting to round out its future nonconference slate.

The Buckeyes currently have a trip to Boston College and a visit from Alabama on the books for the 2027 season. On Wednesday afternoon, Bowling Green announced on Twitter it will take a trip down to Columbus in 2027 for a Sept. 4 matchup. Ohio State holds a 5-0 all-time record against the Falcons.

The three games puts the cap on Ohio State’s 2027 nonconference schedule. The Crimson Tide will make their first ever appearance in the Horseshoe on Sept. 18, 2027. The Ohio State-Boston College game currently does not have a set date.

Diana Sabau played a vital role in scheduling all those showdowns. The former Ohio State senior deputy athletic director left for the Big Ten in May and is a large part of why the Buckeyes have a home-and-home with Alabama. Jocelyn Gates was named her successor in June and is now charged with molding the football schedule for one of the best and most powerful brands in college athletics.

Gates explained in her opening press conference that that every year the Buckeyes will play one marquee contest against a Power Five opponent balanced out by two FBS institutions. The logic behind the approach is to give the best inventory to fans. The 2027 is a strong example of that, highlighted by a matchup with Alabama.

“If you’re not on the same page with the people that you work with, it’s hard to be successful, so that’s extremely important,” Gates said. “And even though I’m not there yet, that’s something that we’re starting now. We’re starting the process of really aligning. I’m learning the culture, I learning everything Ohio State and Ohio State football. So once I get there, I’m going to be listening. I’m going to be meeting people, and I’m really going to just jump right in and just be part of everything so that I can really understand it and be aligned. But alignment is the most important thing — alignment, culture, trust, transparency.”

The last time Ohio State and Bowling Green met was back in the 2016 season opener. The Buckeyes scored 10 offensive touchdowns en route to a 77-10 victory. J.T. Barrett threw six touchdowns and added a seventh on the ground. He was 21 for 31 for 349 yards on the day. The two teams were scheduled to meet last season but was called off due to COVID-19.

The Buckeyes 2027 schedule is now complete. They’ll have a game with Alabama circled on the calendar, but they know they’ll also be facing Boston College and Bowling Green.