Ohio State has a date and time set for its 2024 kickoff in three months.
CBS Sports announced Thursday that it will televise the Buckeyes’ season-opener against Akron on Saturday, Aug. 31. The game starts at 3:30 p.m. ET.
It’s safe to say the oddsmakers aren’t expecting a competitive matchup at Columbus. Ohio State is a massive 50.5-point favorite to defeat the Mid-American Conference squad at home.
In their last encounter, the Buckeyes earned a 59-7 blowout over the Zips early in the 2021 season. They previously shut out Akron, 42-0, in 2011.
Ohio State went 11-0 last season before suffering its third straight loss to Michigan. Excluded from the College Football Playoff, Ryan Day’s team then lost a Cotton Bowl matchup against Missouri.
The Buckeyes responded by hiring Chip Kelly as their offensive coordinator and adding considerable talent through the transfer portal. Will Howard, Quinshon Judkins, Seth McLaughlin, and Caleb Downs make them strong contenders to reclaim the Big Ten title and make an expanded 12-team playoff.
Meanwhile, Akron has gone 2-10 in each of the last three seasons. The Zips averaged just 16.2 points per game in 2023 but gave Indiana a scare during a 29-27 road loss.
Ohio State also revealed a Week 2 game against Western Michigan at 7:30 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network. The Buckeyes won’t face a Big Ten opponent until playing Michigan State on Sept. 28 at a too-be-determined time.
FOX will televise “The Game” against Michigan on Nov. 30 at noon ET.