Ohio State set for primetime kickoff against Notre Dame

COLUMBUS — Ohio State has one of its most highly-anticipated season-opening games in recent memory this fall.

To make the buildup even greater? It’ll happen under the lights.

The Buckeyes will host Notre Dame on Sept. 3 — and that will take place in a prime time, 7:30 p.m. kickoff inside the Horseshoe and on ABC.

The football program made the scheduling announcement Tuesday, giving the Buckeyes a night home opener against the Fighting Irish — and a Week One date with College Gameday on site in the morning to give the game an even bigger spotlight.

Ohio State is already preparing for that Week One matchup, which will carry massive College Football Playoff implications early in the season.

The Buckeyes had the season-opener in mind when they decided it was best to tackle in the spring game last month. It’s all to build up toughness heading into September and that pivotal matchup.

“The first game of the year, we played Notre Dame at home,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “We have to be ready to roll. So, you know, once you get into the preseason, you start getting closer and closer to that first game, you start to really hold your breath because you don’t want to lose guys. But we also have to tackle. We have to play physical, we have to be tough. I mean, if we want to reach our goals this year, we’re going to have to be that way. We’re gonna have to play that way.”

Ohio State and Notre Dame both already knew the buildup for the season-opening game inside the Horseshoe will be huge.

Now with a kickoff time and TV channel set in place, it will be even greater. They’ll kick off in the primetime slot.

Lettermen Row will have more scheduling information about the fall when it becomes available.