Ohio travels the short 74-mile distance from Athens to Columbus for a Saturday night showdown against the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, marking their first encounter since 2010. The Bobcats face a monumental challenge against the defending champions despite their encouraging 1-1 start to the campaign, which includes a victory over West Virginia.
Our Ohio vs. Ohio State prediction provides current PFSN player and team grades, analytical insights, and our pre-game prediction for Saturday’s 7:00 PM ET kickoff on Peacock.
Ohio vs. Ohio State Details
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025
- Game time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
- Predicted Weather at Kick: 81 degrees, mostly cloudy, 5 mph winds
- How To Watch: Peacock
Ohio vs. Ohio State Head-to-Head Record
Although separated by just 74 miles, Ohio and Ohio State have only squared off seven times in their history, with the Buckeyes winning six of those matchups. Notably, Ohio State’s 2010 victory was vacated due to a program-wide scandal, meaning that win no longer officially counts toward their total.
That 2010 game remains infamous not just for its result, but for the pregame antics when Rufus the Bobcat tackled Brutus Buckeye – a moment that lives on in college football lore. Overall, Ohio State has thoroughly dominated in this series, outscoring Ohio 204-37 across their meetings.
Ohio vs. Ohio State Grades
PFSN College OFFi
- Ohio (74.97, C)
- Ohio State (87.97, B+)
PFSN College DEFi
- Ohio (86.18, B)
- Ohio State (90.21, A-)
PFSN College OLi
- Ohio (80.25, B-)
- Ohio State (76.79, C)
PFSN College QBi
- Parker Navarro, Ohio (76.6, C)
- Julian Sayin, Ohio State (86.1, B)
PFSN College RBi
- Sieh Bangura, Ohio (78.55, C+)
- Ohio State (N/A)
PFSN College WRi
- Chase Hendricks, Ohio (80.37, B-)
- Jeremiah Smith, 81.87, B-)
PFSN College TEi
- Mason Williams, Ohio (76.13, C)
- Jelani Thurman, Ohio State (75.47, C)
PFSN College EDGEi
- Anas Luqman, Ohio (78.88, C+)
- Caden Curry, Ohio State (72.63, C-)
PFSN College DTi
- Nehemiah Dukes, Ohio (81.71, B-)
- Ohio State (N/A)
PFSN College LBi
- Jack Fries, Ohio (81.48, B-)
- Payton Pierce, Ohio State (75.23, C)
PFSN College CBi
- Jaymar Mundy, Ohio (84.08, B)
- Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State (75.42, C)
PFSN College SAFi
- Adonis Williams Jr., Ohio (82.93 B-)
- Caleb Downs, Ohio State (74.81, C)
Ohio vs. Ohio State Prediction
Ohio State is the No. 1 team in the country for a reason. But their Week 3 opponents shouldn’t be underestimated.
The Bobcats rank among the top Group of Five teams and have started the 2025 season strong. Ohio is well-balanced, controlling games defensively by holding opponents to a 13% third-down success rate, which ranks fourth in the FBS. With Parker Navarro serving as a true dual-threat playmaker, the Buckeyes will need to assign a spy.
Navarro earned a 76.6 (C) PFSN College QBi grade in Week 2’s statement victory over West Virginia despite turning the ball over three times.
Over the first two games of the season, he has completed 69.4% of his passes for 486 yards and four touchdowns. The Ohio quarterback has also added 180 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
Ryan Day is 5-0 against MAC opponents, and few expect the Bobcats to leave Ohio Stadium with a victory. But they could finish the game having cemented themselves as a playoff contender and enhanced their national profile with a respectable showing.
A narrow 34-31 loss to Rutgers and a victory over the Mountaineers have made the Bobcats the second-favorites to win the MAC, but the Buckeyes are a different beast.
Julian Sayin’s repeat of his Week 2 performance would make Ohio’s task even more difficult. The first-year starter was unleashed against Grambling State, throwing for 306 yards and four touchdowns. The Ohio State receivers are expected to overwhelm their opponents, with Jeremiah Smith commanding the majority of targets.
Meanwhile, the Buckeye defense ranks among the nation’s elite. Under Matt Patricia, the unit ranked ninth nationally with a 90.21 (A-) PFSN College DEFi grade in Week 2. The defense also shut down the Texas offense in Week 1 and boasts NFL-caliber talent across the board.
Still, Navarro has the playmaking ability and experience to avoid being overwhelmed in Columbus and could keep things close early.
The Buckeyes are 30.5-point favorites on DraftKings and should have the firepower to win comfortably. Yet plenty of Bobcats players and Ohio natives will enter Week 3 looking to prove a point against the top-ranked team in the country in primetime.
Prediction: Ohio State 36, Ohio 13