WSYX Misidentified Ohio State Football Opponent

The Columbus station incorrectly named an NBA team as the opponent for the Ohio State football squad.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Basketball

WSYX Misidentified Ohio State Football Opponent

Columbus television station WSYX mistakenly identified the Atlanta Hawks as the upcoming opponent for the Ohio State University football team. The error appeared in a social media post asking viewers to share their game predictions.

Why it matters

The mistake confused the college football landscape with professional basketball, as the Atlanta Hawks are an NBA franchise rather than a Big Ten football team.

The incident occurred in a single social media post, which incorrectly pitted an Ohio State football program against the Atlanta Hawks, a professional basketball team from the NBA.

The players

WSYX

WSYX is a television station serving the Columbus, Ohio area.

Ohio State University

Ohio State University is a major public research university with a prominent collegiate football team.

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball team that competes in the NBA.

Iowa Hawkeyes

The Iowa Hawkeyes are a collegiate football team competing in the Big Ten Conference.

The details

The station requested fan predictions for the upcoming Ohio State and Iowa Hawkeyes football game. However, the accompanying graphic or text erroneously listed the Atlanta Hawks as the team facing the Buckeyes.

October 6, 2026: The post was published.

Season Trajectory

This reporting error highlights the confusion that can occur when teams from different sports leagues are incorrectly linked to the Big Ten football schedule. The mistake does not impact the current playoff standing, but it reflects a lapse in standard sports broadcast accuracy.

Fans tracking the upcoming game against the Iowa Hawkeyes were provided with incorrect scheduling information. This error created confusion for viewers attempting to verify the correct opponent for the upcoming college football matchup.

The takeaway

Reliable sports reporting depends on accurately distinguishing between collegiate football programs and professional basketball teams. Double-checking opponent names remains a fundamental best practice for any media outlet providing game coverage.