The 1977 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team that represented the Ohio State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1977 Big Ten season. In their 27th year under head coach Woody Hayes, the Buckeyes compiled a 9âÂÂ3 record (7âÂÂ1 in conference games), tied with Michigan for the Big Ten championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 337 to 85. In games against ranked opponents, they lost to No. 3 Oklahoma, No. 5 Michigan, and No. 3 Alabama in the 1978 Sugar Bowl. They were ranked as high as No. 3 but dropped to No. 11 in the final AP poll after losing to Michigan and Alabama.
The Buckeyes gained an average of 294.5 rushing yards and 84.8 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 119.6 rushing yards and 92.0 passing yards per game. The team's individual statistical leaders included quarterback Rod Gerald (913 passing yards, 61.9% completion percentage), running back Ron Springs (1,092 rushing yards, 5.7 yards per carry), and Jim Harrell (13 receptions for 310 yards). Offensive tackle Chris Ward and linebacker Tom Cousineau were consensus first-team All-Americans.
The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.