Ohio State spent the last two weeks getting ready for a very different kind of Big Ten road trip, and the focus inside the Buckeyes’ building has been squarely on the quarterback spot.
The second-ranked Buckeyes head to USC on Saturday for the first-ever Big Ten meeting between the schools, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern time, 4:30 p.m.
Pacific time in Los Angeles, on NBC. Ohio State is 6-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play, while the Trojans enter at 6-2 and 3-2, needing a win to stay in the mix for the Big Ten title game and the College Football Playoff.
With injured starter Julian Sayin out, either freshman Luke Fahey or redshirt freshman Tavien St. Clair will be making his first career start. That reality has shaped plenty of the week’s work, but at least from the defensive side, the message is simple: the Buckeyes trust whoever gets the call.
Safety Jaylen McClain said both quarterbacks have handled the situation well in practice.
“Yeah, I feel like both of them are being really competitive. I see a lot of good coming from both of them. Both really talented guys, so whoever's out there, we're going to rally around them.”
He also said the offense USC presents is no small task, pointing to a veteran quarterback, young playmakers on the outside and a running back that can cause problems.
“Obviously, USC has a really good veteran quarterback and a lot of young skill on the outside, and a running back that can bring fits to some people. Young guys like that, they came in, they played really good. And obviously, it's midseason, so they're not young guys no more, so we have to play them like that.
"I feel like that (Wisconsin) game was kind of misleading. I feel like that's not the best offense they played.
Obviously, Wisconsin brought a lot of pressure to them, gave them about five sacks. So obviously, that's something that kind of got to them a lot, obviously.”
McClain said the quarterback situation puts an added burden on the defense, but in a way that the group welcomes.
“It’s pressure that you want, almost, as a defense. We take pride in just getting off the field and giving the ball back to the quarterback. So, at the end of the day, that’s what we’re going to have to do at a higher level now.”
He also had praise for freshman nickel corner Jay Timmons, who he said has grown steadily through the season.
“Yeah Jay obviously came in. He knew he was going to be a different type of guy.
He plays very fast, very instinctively, and he prepares really well, obviously. So, seeing him go from the beginning of the season to where he’s at now, he’s just been taking the next step every game, every game, every game.
So, it’s really exciting to see.
"He’s a very confident guy. Like, you see out there, he’s out there making plays, doesn’t, when he messes up, he goes right back and makes another play, you know what I mean? So he’s the type of guy that you really need on that field, and he’s a very crucial to our team.”
McClain said Ohio State’s defense feels more connected now than it did early in the year.
“I just feel like we’re playing a lot closer. I feel like in the beginning of the season we’re kind of trying to figure it out. But I feel like now we’re kind of taking pride in each other’s roles.
"We’re trusting each other more, and we’re just doing our one-11th at the end of the day.”
He also pointed to USC’s receiver group as a major strength.
“Obviously what really impresses everybody is how the young guys really came in, stepped up, and really are driving their team. So they have a lot of good skill. Obviously, they’ve got a good Z receiver, X receiver, and a really good slot receiver there just making it happen for them, and they’ve been doing a really good job this season.
On the other side of the ball, center Carson Hinzman said the Buckeyes have full confidence in the young quarterbacks.
“We’ve got ultimate trust in them.”
Hinzman also looked back on his own play against Indiana, where he recorded his first forced fumble and sack in his career.
“T felt really good. Obviously, that was my first forced fumble and sack that I had in my career.
So, being able to make that play was very huge, obviously, in a critical moment in the game. So, that felt really good.”
In Other News...
Luke Fahey Is Forcing Ohio State Fans To Rethink The Hype
Luke Fahey arrived in Columbus with the kind of recruiting profile that usually invites patience, not immediate expectations. The Mission Viejo, Calif., quarterback was ranked lower than some of the bigger-name passers in his class and did not fit the prototype in terms of measurables, but he still drew offers from top programs before committing to Ohio State in 2025. His performance against a highly ranked opponent only sharpened the conversation around him, especially as he has moved into position to be the Buckeyes likely starting quarterback.
For Ohio State fans, the intrigue is less about the ranking labels than the way Fahey has continued to push past them. Ryan Day has praised his work ethic and competitiveness, two traits that tend to matter a lot more once the pads are on and the depth chart gets real. Even with the hype around more decorated prospects, Fahey has forced a rethink of what his ceiling might be, and the Buckeyes are left watching to see how far that edge can carry him. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Heads To USC With One Huge Offensive Problem
Ohio State heads into Week 9 at USC with its offense carrying more uncertainty than it has all season, and it starts with Julian Sayins injury leaving the quarterback situation unsettled. The Buckeyes are weighing different ways to attack the Trojans depending on who takes the first snap, while there is at least one stabilizing piece on the front line with Austin Siereveld back in the mix to give the offensive line a more settled look.
The ripple effects could be felt everywhere else in the huddle, especially in the backfield, where Ja'Kobi Jacksons absence opens the door for a different rotation. Bo Jackson, Legend Bey and Isaiah West are all expected to share carries, which means Ohio State may need to lean on depth and flexibility as it tries to piece together an offense that can keep pace in a road game against a ranked opponent. [Read more 🡒]
Minnesota Gets A Huge Big Ten Test With Plenty On The Line
Halloween weekend brings a loaded Big Ten slate, and Ohio States meeting with USC stands out as one of the games with the most immediate coaching implications. Lincoln Riley enters under a bright spotlight after recent losses have turned up the heat around his tenure, while Ryan Days Buckeyes are dealing with a different kind of uncertainty after the absence of star quarterback Julian Sayin left the offense in a less settled place than usual.
For Ohio State, the matchup is about more than another conference win. It is a chance to steady the narrative around a team still trying to sort out its quarterback situation while facing a USC program that badly needs a response. In a week packed with Big Ten intrigue, this one has enough pressure on both sidelines to feel bigger than a midseason test. [Read more 🡒]