Ohio State’s win over Maryland did more than pad a record. It sharpened the conversation around what’s coming next, because the Buckeyes’ trip to Bloomington now feels like it will be decided by the people on the headset as much as the players on the field.
That idea already showed up in Indiana’s 20-17 win over Nebraska seven days before the matchup. On a fourth-and-1, offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan passed on the obvious path and called a design that slipped Nick Marsh behind the defense. Josh Hoover found him for a 44-yard touchdown, and that was only one of several moments in which a decision from Curt Cignetti or someone on his staff helped swing the game.
Ohio State had its own version of that kind of edge in a 45-16 win over Maryland, even if the performance was far from clean. The Buckeyes were up 31-10 at halftime, but Ryan Day still had plenty to point to as he headed into the locker room.
“ We’re down about five starters,” Day said as he walked off the field. “So we’ve got some new guys stepping into some roles, and there’s been too many mistakes.
Too many penalties. With that being said, I thought we’re playing hard.”
The final margin made the result look comfortable, and Ohio State was clearly the better team. But the Buckeyes did not play like a side that put everything together. Penalties piled up, including four on one drive that eventually led to a Maryland touchdown after the Terrapins needed 11 plays.
“We gotta do better than that,” Day said. “That’s coaching. We’ve gotta make sure we’re more disciplined than that.
The offensive line had to be shuffled because Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels were out. Gabe VanSickle took over at right tackle for the first time ever, and Jake Cook made his first start at right guard.
The setup was imperfect, but it held together. Jake Padilla also rotated in at times, which let Ohio State keep using the Bison role Cook has handled this season and added another wrinkle to the offense.
That flexibility showed up on Bo Jackson’s 25-yard touchdown run, with Cook moving in motion and landing the key block that opened the lane.
That’s the kind of detail that matters most now. Both Ohio State and Indiana already know their headline players will be ready.
Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith define the ceiling for Ohio State’s 2026 roster, while Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh do the same for the Hoosiers. The bigger question is not whether those weapons will show up.
It’s which staff can handle the rest.
Ohio State and Indiana may have the best coaching setups in college football. Each program has a national championship-winning head coach and coordinators on both sides who would draw interest anywhere else. Ohio State has two former NFL head coaches guiding its offense and defense, while Indiana has kept its coordinators together longer than most programs ever could.
That’s where the edge may be found next Saturday. In a sport where talent is spread thinner than ever, coaching carries more weight than it used to. And in this matchup, it may be the thing that decides who takes the next step toward the Big Ten Championship Game.
In Other News...
Ohio State Fans Have A Cheaper Way To Watch Todays Game
For Ohio State fans trying to follow todays game without leaning on cable, the options are more crowded than ever, but also a little more manageable if price is the main concern. The latest rundown of college football streaming services points viewers toward a handful of familiar platforms, including DIRECTV MySports, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and Fox One, each offering a different mix of live channels, trial periods and monthly costs.
What makes this weeks viewing puzzle interesting is that the cheapest route is not always the most obvious one, especially when channel access can vary by service. For Buckeyes fans, the real challenge is matching the broadcast with a package that actually carries it, which is why the best value option may depend less on name recognition and more on which platform gives the easiest path to the game without forcing viewers into a pricier bundle. [Read more 🡒]
Former Michigan Star Just Reignited The Debate Ohio State Fans Love
Jake Butt briefly reopened one of the most familiar arguments in college football when he suggested in an interview that Michigans 2023 national championship carries an asterisk because of how the sign-stealing scandal has colored public perception. The former Wolverines tight end later took to social media to clarify that he believes those championships were real and earned, but the initial remark was enough to stir up a debate Ohio State fans never seem to tire of revisiting.
For Buckeyes followers, the timing only adds another layer to a rivalry that already lives on edge, especially with Michigan now trying to steady itself through coaching changes and uneven play since Jim Harbaughs departure. Even as Butt walked back the sharper edge of his comment, the larger issue remains unresolved: how much the scandal has damaged the way outsiders view a title that the program still claims as legitimate. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Freshman RBs Shrinking Role Now Carries A Bigger Concern
Legend Beys role in Ohio States backfield has already been sliding, and the freshman running back has not appeared in the last two games after seeing only limited action earlier in the season. For a program that keeps a close eye on the development and availability of every scholarship player, a young runner disappearing from the rotation is notable on its own, especially when the Buckeyes are trying to sort out depth behind the established options.
The bigger concern is what has been happening away from the field. Bey was reportedly cited for speeding and allegedly evicted from his apartment for nonpayment of rent, adding another layer of uncertainty around a player whose playing time has already been shrinking. It is still unclear whether those off-field matters are tied to his reduced role, and the coaching staff has not confirmed any connection, leaving the situation open as one more item to monitor around the Buckeyes. [Read more 🡒]