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The Ohio State Buckeyes are the 47th team in our 2018 schedule preview series and the sixth and final team from the Big Ten. The Buckeyes had a record-setting season, going 16-5 on the year and appearing in the National Championship game. They lost to Maryland, 9-6, in the game, which was the team’s second loss to the Terps in three meetings. They also came up short by one-goal to the Terps in the Big Ten championship game.
Here’s the entire 2018 schedule:
Ohio State’s 2018 Schedule
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Special Notes | Last Year's Meeting(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Special Notes | Last Year's Meeting(s) |
| 1/20 | Hill Academy | Ohio State | Scrimmage | |
| 1/27 | Ohio State | Duke | Scrimmage | |
| 2/3 | Ohio State | Cleveland State | 12-4 W | |
| 2/10 | Boston University | Ohio State | First ever meeting | |
| 2/17 | Hofstra | Ohio State | First meeting since 2016 (8-5 L) | |
| 2/25 | Ohio State | Jacksonville | 16-8 W | |
| 3/2 | Ohio State | Marquette | Midwest Lacrosse Classic | 12-6 W |
| 3/4 | Ohio State | Detroit Mercy | Midwest Lacrosse Classic | 14-8 W |
| 3/10 | Towson | Ohio State | 6-3 W, 11-10 W | |
| 3/17 | Ohio State | Denver | 16-7 W | |
| 3/25 | Notre Dame | Ohio State | 12-7 L | |
| 3/31 | Penn State | Ohio State | Big Ten | 9-4 L |
| 4/7 | Ohio State | Johns Hopkins | Big Ten | 13-9 W, 15-13 W |
| 4/14 | Michigan | Ohio State | Big Ten | 18-7 W |
| 4/22 | Ohio State | Maryland | Big Ten | 11-10 W/OT, 10-9 L, 9-6 L |
| 4/28 | Rutgers | Ohio State | Big Ten | 12-11 L/OT |
Ohio State adds two good opponents in Boston University and Hofstra. They get rid of Bellarmine, Fuman, and UMass.
Let’s check out some notable games on this schedule:
Best Nonconference Game: @ Denver
Ohio State is the only Championship Weekend team to play all three semifinalists from a year ago. They played all three teams last year as well. Denver is part of their tough second half of their season, and last year’s meeting was a surprising blowout of the Pioneers. Now without Jake Withers and Eric Fannell, the Buckeyes will need bigger contributions from guys such as Tre Leclaire and Colin Chell.
Best Conference Game: @ Maryland
They played three times last year, and all three games were great. Both teams lose key contributors, but they both have high aspirations entering the 2018 season, including a Big Ten championship. Unlike any of the games last year, Ohio State will play this game in College Park.
Under The Radar Game: vs. Boston University
The Buckeyes improved their nonconference schedule a bit, adding the likes of Hofstra and BU to their slate. BU made their first Patriot League Tournament and were ranked for most of the year. The Terriers need to find a way to replace Cal Dearth and Christian Carson-Banister, but they have plenty of depth to combat with Ohio State in February.
Possible Upset: vs. Hofstra
The Pride have upset the Tar Heels the past two years in Chapel Hill. Just because they did it to UNC twice doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing will happen in Columbus, but Hofstra is capable of doing so. This is a mid-February game, and the Buckeyes may not be 100% set with chemistry just yet. A bad shooting day could mean few goals past solid goalie Jack Concannon.
For other schedules and team rosters, check out our Men’s Division I matrix.