The 1988 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 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their first year under head coach John Cooper, the Buckeyes compiled a 4âÂÂ6âÂÂ1 record (2âÂÂ5âÂÂ1 in conference games), tied for seventh place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 283 to 229. It was Ohio State's first losing season since 1959, and the Buckeyes were unranked in the final AP poll.
The Buckeyes gained an average of 150.4 rushing yards and 187.1 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 192.4 rushing yards and 192.9 passing yards per game. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Greg Frey (2,028 passing yards, 51.9% completion percentage), running back Carlos Snow (775 rushing yards, 5.1 yards per carry), and tight end Jeff Ellis (40 receptions for 492 yards). No Ohio State players received first-team honors on the 1988 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Center Jeff Uhlenhake, defensive back Zack Dumas, and kicker Pat O'Morrow received second-team honors.
The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.