Ohio State Eyes Familiar Cotton Bowl Stage, With Lingering Questions on Offense and a Star Freshman Waiting in the Wings
COLUMBUS, Ohio - For decades, the Cotton Bowl was a rare destination for Ohio State football. The Buckeyes didn’t make their first appearance until the end of the 1986 season and didn’t return until 2017. But under Ryan Day, what was once a novelty has become routine.
Now, for the third straight season, Ohio State is headed back to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This time, it’s not just a bowl game - it’s a College Football Playoff quarterfinal, and the Buckeyes are facing a familiar postseason opponent in Miami.
Ohio State’s recent Cotton Bowl history has been a mixed bag. Two years ago, they ended a frustrating 2023 season with a loss to Missouri in Dallas.
But last season, they bounced back with a statement win over Texas in the CFP semifinals. Now, with another national title push in sight, the Buckeyes return to a setting that’s become almost second nature.
As Ohio State prepares for the showdown, fans have plenty of questions - and a few intriguing ones are centered on what wrinkles Ryan Day might have up his sleeve. Let’s break down two of the biggest storylines heading into the CFP.
Will Ohio State Reintroduce the Lincoln Kienholz Package?
One of the more interesting developments this season has been the Buckeyes’ occasional use of backup quarterback Lincoln Kienholz in specially designed packages. The idea? Add a dual-threat wrinkle that forces defenses to respect a different kind of playmaker than starter Julian Sayin.
It’s not a new concept in college football - bringing in a mobile quarterback situationally has been a go-to move for programs looking to create mismatches in the red zone or on short-yardage downs. But for Ohio State, the Kienholz package has been more of a tease than a staple.
The Buckeyes gave a subtle glimpse of their intentions back on November 29 against Michigan. In a key goal-to-go situation, Kienholz began to jog onto the field before being pulled back after a ruling changed the situation. It was a fleeting moment, but one that hinted at Ohio State’s willingness to use him in high-leverage spots.
Then came the Big Ten Championship Game against Indiana - and a missed opportunity. Ohio State’s red-zone offense sputtered, and Kienholz never saw the field.
After the game, Ryan Day didn’t mince words.
“Yes, because what we were doing didn’t work,” Day said when asked if Kienholz should’ve been used. “So then when you look back on it, you say, ‘Yeah, that’s probably something that we should have done.’”
That’s a pretty strong admission. It suggests that the coaching staff is seriously considering bringing Kienholz back into the fold when the stakes are highest. With a CFP matchup looming and every possession magnified, don’t be surprised if we see No. 12 under center in a key spot - especially if the Buckeyes stall near the goal line again.
Can Chris Henry Jr. Make an Immediate Impact Like Jeremiah Smith?
Ohio State’s wide receiver room has been a factory for NFL talent, and the pipeline doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. With Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss expected back in 2026, and Carnell Tate likely headed to the NFL, one starting receiver spot could be up for grabs.
Enter Chris Henry Jr.
The top-rated receiver in the 2026 class - and one of the highest-rated recruits in the country - Henry arrives in Columbus with sky-high expectations. But even for a player of his caliber, earning a starting job as a true freshman at Ohio State is no small feat.
Just ask Jeremiah Smith. Despite being the second-highest ranked recruit in program history, Smith had to prove himself to earn his starting role this past season. That’s the standard in Brian Hartline’s room - though with Hartline now leaving for the head coaching job at South Florida, the dynamics could shift.
The Buckeyes will also return Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter, two young receivers who flashed potential in 2025. Graham showed promise but struggled to consistently crack the rotation.
Porter battled injuries and never fully found his rhythm as a freshman. Both could take a leap with a full offseason under their belts, but neither has locked down a starting spot.
That opens the door for Henry - if he’s ready.
If he can absorb the playbook quickly, show polish in route-running, and handle the physicality of college corners, Henry could very well follow the Smith blueprint and start right away. Spring practice and fall camp will be telling.
The tools are there. Now it’s about whether he can put it all together fast enough to earn Day’s trust.
Final Thoughts
Ohio State is back in the Cotton Bowl, but this isn’t just about returning to a familiar stadium - it’s about chasing another national championship. And as the Buckeyes gear up for Miami, the margins will be razor-thin.
Whether it’s a timely wrinkle with Lincoln Kienholz or a breakout spring from Chris Henry Jr., the little things could make a big difference.
In a postseason where every snap counts, those are the storylines worth watching.