Nobody likes a good prediction more than we do here at Buckeyes Wire, and we get into it ourselves when the time comes each week during the 2026 Ohio State football season.

If you've followed us at all, you know we like to check on what the ESPN matchup predictor offers about Ohio State's probability of winning each game on its schedule every week. The ESPN computers always adjust the numbers after the latest slate of games, and we like to check in each time.

After another chaotic Week 8, with some more major surprises, the computer model ESPN uses did its thing and spit out a new look at the chances of the Buckeyes winning each remaining game for the 2026 regular season schedule. The Buckeyes were off last week, but how other teams fared plays into the analytics as well. How does the model treat the prospects of a new starting quarterback?

This year's schedule is a daunting one, with remaining road contests still to go at USC and Nebraska, and home games against Oregon and Michigan also on the docket.

Here are ESPN's matchup predictor numbers for the remainder of the Ohio State football schedule and how they have changed from the start. We include completed games going forward into the projected record for the Buckeyes.

Actual running record | 1-0

Actual running record | 1-1

Sept. 19 vs. Kent State

Actual running record | 2-1

Sept. 26 vs. Illinois

Actual running record | 3-1

Oct. 3 at Iowa

Actual running record | 4-1

Oct. 10 vs. Maryland

Actual running record | 5-1

Oct. 17 at Indiana

Actual running record | 6-1

Oct. 31 at USC

Projected running record | 7-1

Nov. 7 vs. Oregon

Projected running record | 8-1

Nov. 14 vs. Northwestern

Projected running record | 9-1

Nov. 21 at Nebraska

Projected running record | 10-1

Nov. 28 vs. Michigan