Kickoff times and television carriers for Ohio State’s first two games of the 2024 season were announced on May 30, with the Buckeyes slated to open the year at home against Akron at 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 31 and then face Western Michigan at Ohio Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
This marks the third Buckeyes game this season with a confirmed kickoff time and network carrier, joining Ohio State’s matchup with Michigan, which was previously announced as a noon start on FOX.
The Buckeyes’ mid-afternoon battle with Akron is part of a seven-year deal between the Big Ten and CBS that has the network airing a Big Ten game in its traditional 3:30 p.m. slot, a time that previously was occupied by the SEC. The contract, which runs through 2029-30, did start last year but only included a select few Big Ten games. Ohio State played two games in the 3:30 slot on CBS last season, those coming in its season opener against Indiana and early November matchup with Rutgers.
Ohio State’s matchup with Western Michigan marks the first nonconference home primetime game since the 2022 season, when the Buckeyes hosted Toledo for a 7:00 kickoff time.
The Buckeyes also inched closer to finding out the kickoff times and networks of their Oct. 26 home matchup with Nebraska. According to a release, the game will kick off at either noon, 3:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. with the network carrier still to be determined.
