Bo Jackson finally gave Ohio State the kind of game Buckeye fans had been waiting for.
After a start to 2026 that had left plenty to be desired, Jackson broke out against Maryland and put together his best performance of the season. He topped 100 yards for the first time this year, handled 20 or more carries for the first time, and scored twice, including a 25-yard run that turned heads.
Coming into the season, the expectations were heavy. Jackson was coming off a year with over 1,000 rushing yards and a six-yards-per-carry average, so it was no surprise that fans in Columbus expected more of the same, if not even better production in year two. Instead, he had spent the opening stretch struggling to find the end zone and had lost a lot of his carries to Ja'Kobi Jackson.
Against Maryland, though, the script flipped.
Jackson reminded everyone what makes him dangerous: burst in the open field. That ability has always been one of his biggest strengths, and it was exactly the kind of weapon Ohio State needed to see again.
For much of 2026, he hadn’t been able to tap into that part of his game. On this day, he did.
The performance also fit into a bigger picture for the Buckeyes. Ja'Kobi Jackson continued to be productive as well, finishing with 14 carries for 76 yards.
It was also the first game in which he did not score. Still, the two backs have shown they can both matter, and that kind of balance can give Ryan Day’s offense a lot more to work with.
Ohio State has already seen how well two strong backs can operate in the same system, with Quinshon Judkins and Treveyon Henderson serving as the example a few seasons ago.
That’s what makes Jackson’s day so important. If he can build on it, Ohio State’s offense gets even tougher to deal with. Defenses already have their hands full trying to sort out the Buckeyes, and things get a lot more difficult when the passing game and running game are both rolling.
For now, Jackson has the kind of confidence that comes from a big afternoon. The question is whether he can turn it into something lasting.
In Other News...
Ohio State Fans Have A Cheaper Way To Watch Todays Game
With college football now split across a maze of broadcast windows and streaming packages, Ohio State fans looking to catch todays game have a few different paths to choose from. The latest rundown lays out the major services carrying games this season, including DIRECTV MySports, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and Fox One, with an eye toward which one gives viewers the best mix of price and channel access.
For fans trying to keep costs down, the useful part is not just knowing where the game is, but which bundle is the least painful way in. The guide compares monthly pricing, trial offers and availability so viewers can sort through the clutter without overpaying, which matters more every week as college football moves deeper into the season and the viewing options keep multiplying. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Freshman RBs Shrinking Role Now Carries A Bigger Concern
Legend Beys role has already thinned out for Ohio State, with the freshman running back not appearing in the last two games after seeing only limited work earlier in the season. For a Buckeyes backfield that leans on depth and reliability, any young player who slips out of the rotation quickly becomes a storyline worth watching, especially when the season is still in its early stretch.
Beys situation has taken on a more serious edge because of reports tying him to a speeding citation and an alleged eviction over unpaid rent. It remains unclear whether those off-field issues are connected to his reduced playing time, and the coaching staff has not confirmed any link, which leaves the situation unresolved even as the concern around it continues to grow. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Now Gets The Undefeated Indiana Showdown Everyone Feared
Indiana did not make things easy on itself at Nebraska, but the defending national champions did what winning teams do and found a way to stay perfect. Josh Hoover delivered the biggest throws of the night, hitting Nick Marsh for two fourth-quarter touchdowns after Nebraska had briefly threatened to spoil the evening with a late Anthony Colandrea scoring run. The result kept Indianas win streak rolling and preserved the unbeaten record that has made every week feel like a test.
Now comes the game Ohio State has had circled for some time, the one that will tell a lot about how real this Indiana run is. The Hoosiers head into that matchup still unbeaten, still carrying the pressure that comes with being the champs, and still looking like a team that can survive ugly stretches and win anyway. For the Buckeyes, it is the kind of showdown that brings the stakes up fast, especially with Indiana arriving in Columbus with momentum and no blemishes. [Read more 🡒]