When Will Ohio State Wear Alternates in 2025 (If At All)?

For at least one game over the last 16 seasons, Ohio State broke out at least one alternate uniform. It has become a staple of late for the Buckeyes to rock the all-scarlet, all-black, all-gray, or even all-white looks. Since Ryan Day took over, Ohio State hasn’t debuted any alternates quite as ambitious as those debuted during the Urban Meyer era. Last year, the Buckeyes wore all-gray unis against Iowa, all-white at Oregon, and all-scarlet against Tennessee in the College Football Playoff. In addition, they wore the white version of the National Championship-exclusive 1968 throwbacks in the win over Notre Dame.

With just under six weeks until the season kicks off, no announcements have been made on whether the Buckeyes will wear alternates. It’s a safe bet that at least one alternate will be worn. Let’s try to predict when Ohio State’s alternates will grace the field.

When Will the Ohio State Alternates Feature in 2025?

All-White: at Washington (September 27)

Washington plays in what’s affectionately referred to as “The Greatest Setting in College Football.” Leading up to the Buckeyes’ first trip back to Husky Stadium since 2007, there are three non-conference matchups on the slate. Week 1 vs. Texas could be a good candidate. However, it feels more like the Buckeyes will opt for their traditional look for the much-anticipated matchup on “Big Noon Kickoff.” Then, the matchups against Grambling State and Ohio don’t carry as much prestige. So, naturally, an all-white look for the first Big Ten matchup with Washington makes sense.

Last year, Ohio State’s first trip to Oregon featured the all-white unis. It only makes sense that the Buckeyes do the same with the Ducks’ rival.

Washington will be in year two of the Jedd Fisch era. All indications point to the Huskies being better than the 6-7 showing from a year ago. Demond Williams Jr. is set to take over an offense that threw over 400 times a year ago. Remember, this is the same Jedd Fisch who took Arizona, a historically worse program, from 1-11 in year one to 10-3 with five ranked wins, an Alamo Bowl championship, and an 11th-place finish in the AP Poll in year three.

More: Ranking the Ohio State Alternate Uniforms Through the Years

All-Scarlet: vs Penn State (November 1)

Penn State has the “White Out.” Ohio State has the “Scarlet Out.” While the latter doesn’t quite have the nationwide hype as the former, the two totally-not-rivals have respected each other with their respective special nights. Of course, this is all predicated on this game not being at noon. The all-scarlet look doesn’t have the same flair at noon compared to at night, as we saw with Tennessee (who had the most impressive showing of visiting fans all season).

The home matchup against the Nittany Lions comes after two away games and a bye and is right before another away game. With a weak home slate outside of Texas and Penn State, there are no other potential matchups for the look.

Ohio State debuted the all-scarlet look against Penn State in 2021 in a 33-24 win. As for 2025, Penn State is expected to be not only a CFP contender but also on the shortlist of teams that can win it all. Led by Ohio native Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions’ top-of-the-line running back duo, this is expected to be a top-10 matchup. This game brings out the best in the Buckeyes each year. Due to the Jim Knowles situation and how he left for State College, it’s only going to get more exciting.

All-Gray: vs UCLA (November 15)

Unless the Buckeyes opt to wear another monochromatic look on the road other than the all-whites, they’re going to have to pick from a slate of Grambling State, Ohio, Minnesota, UCLA, and Rutgers. As we sit in July, there doesn’t seem to be an enticing matchup left. So, why not try to avenge the last time these two faced off with an all-gray look?

There aren’t many teams that have won their most recent matchup with Ohio State. Believe it or not, UCLA is one of those teams. These two haven’t faced off since the Bruins took down the Buckeyes, 13-6, in 2001 in the Rose Bowl (regular season…not “The Rose Bowl” Rose Bowl). 2025 marks the fifth time UCLA makes the trip to Columbus, where Ohio State owns a 2-1-1 mark against UCLA.

It’ll be the return of Nico Iamaleava to the Horseshoe. His CFP performance against the Buckeyes saw him complete just 45.2% of his passes. UCLA should be better in 2025, buoyed by a handful of instant-impact transfers. The bar is quite low to clear for the Bruins to improve upon last year’s finish. While the Buckeyes should win this one handily, UCLA should be improved.