With Julian Sayin’s return this season now described as “doubtful,” Ohio State is spending the bye week turning its attention to a very different kind of offensive setup. Arthur Smith suddenly has two weeks to shape a championship-level attack around backup quarterbacks Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair.
Ryan Day made the situation plain: “This is a challenge for both Luke and Tavien to step up in a big way,” Day said. “The plan when both those guys came here was to play, and here they are.”
For Smith, the message is not about lowering the bar. It’s about adjusting the route to get there.
“The expectations don’t change,” Smith said. “You just try to play to the strengths of your offense.”
That means the Buckeyes could lean harder on the ground game while the staff evaluates what Fahey and St. Clair can do. Smith made clear that the run game remains central no matter who is taking snaps.
“You still need a good run game,” Smith said. “We’ll lean into the strength of our team.”
The two quarterbacks offer different looks, and Smith said the offense has to reflect that reality rather than force either player into a mold that doesn’t fit.
“You’ve got to understand your players and you’ve got to adapt and play to your strengths,” he said. “You’re not asking them to be Julian. You’re asking them to be themselves.”
Fahey has already earned praise for how he handles the position behind the scenes. Smith pointed to the way he prepares and processes things, calling it a “pro mindset.”
“He puts a lot of work into it,” Smith said. “I think he operates at a high level.”
St. Clair, meanwhile, brings a different skill set to the table. Smith highlighted his arm strength, his ability to extend plays, and his size in the pocket.
“Tavien’s obviously got a big arm,” Smith said. “He’s another guy that can extend plays. He’s a big person in the pocket.”
Smith also talked about the reality of coaching through injuries, when a game plan can shift in an instant. The answer, he said, is being ready before that moment arrives.
“The situation can change in a blink of an eye,” he said.
The bye week gives Ohio State the time it needs to sort through the quarterback picture and take a hard look at the offense at the midpoint of the season. Smith said the staff will study what the Buckeyes are doing well, clean up what needs work, and sort out any adjustments before the team heads to Los Angeles for what appears to be a critical Halloween night matchup against the USC Trojans.
In Other News...
Urban Meyer Just Turned Up Pressure On Ohio State's QB Decision
The Buckeyes quarterback picture got even more interesting after Julian Sayins injury, and now an old familiar voice has jumped into the conversation. Urban Meyer, the former Ohio State coach, said Tavien St. Clair should be the next quarterback to get a look, a comment that adds another layer to a decision Ryan Day and his staff are already working through as they try to steady the position.
With the bye week providing a little breathing room, Ohio State is set to use the extra time to let St. Clair and Fahey compete and see who gives the offense the best chance moving forward. It is the sort of evaluation that can shape the rest of the season, and Meyers take only underscores how closely the Buckeyes quarterback situation is being watched right now. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Suddenly Faces A Backfield Question Fans Wont Ignore
JaKobi Jacksons foot injury has turned into a real early-season concern for Ohio State, with the running back having undergone surgery for a Lisfranc issue and now expected to miss several games. The Buckeyes had hoped to get him back in time for the stretch run, and the latest sense around the program is that a return against Michigan remains the target, with the postseason also in view.
Arthur Smith said the timeline is still uncertain, which leaves Ohio State managing the backfield without a clear date for Jacksons return. For a team that knows how much late-season stability matters, especially in rivalry week and beyond, this is the kind of situation that can reshape how the offense handles the weeks ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio States Backfield Just Got More Important Than Ever
JaKobi Jacksons absence is becoming a bigger storyline for Ohio State by the day. The running back underwent surgery for a Lisfranc foot injury and is expected to miss several games after getting hurt against Maryland, which also kept him out against Indiana. The Buckeyes had already been navigating the usual churn of a long season, but losing a back with hopes of returning before the end of the year changes the calculation in a hurry.
Julian Sayins injury only adds to the pressure on the offense, with the quarterback situation still indefinite and the backfield carrying more of the load. For Ohio State, that means the ground game is no longer just a complement to the passing attack, it is central to how the Buckeyes get through the next stretch. The staff will be watching closely to see who can absorb the snaps and steady the offense until Jackson has a chance to come back. [Read more 🡒]