The 2000 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2000–2001. The Buckeyes compiled a 8–4 record, including a 38–26 loss to rival Michigan in Columbus in the regular season finale and a 24–7 loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2001 Outback Bowl. The losses dropped head coach John Cooper's record to 2–10–1 in Ohio State-Michigan games and 3–7 in bowl games, contributing to his dismissal from the team on January 2, 2001.