Ohio State’s offensive line is already dealing with another shakeup, and this one might actually give the Buckeyes a useful look at a different combination before the schedule gets heavier.
Phillip Daniels will not play against Kent State in Week 3 after getting hurt against Texas and not returning. That opens the door for Ohio State to make the same adjustment it used against the Longhorns: move Austin Siereveld to right tackle and slide Gave VanSickle in at right guard.
That’s not necessarily bad news for a unit that has already shown too much inconsistency. Daniels struggled in the opener against Ball State, and his problems carried over from the final two games of the 2025 season. With Ohio State needing answers up front, one full game without him could help the staff evaluate another option before the tougher part of the slate arrives.
The bigger issue is that the Buckeyes still aren’t getting enough push in the run game. They managed only 94 rushing yards against Texas, even though Texas State ran for 161 yards against the Longhorns. Ohio State simply isn’t moving people well enough to create clean lanes, and the line has to do a better job of generating movement.
If Daniels’ absence leads to a better-looking front, that could be valuable. If it doesn’t, then getting him healthy for Big Ten play becomes the priority. Either way, Ohio State should have more than enough to handle Kent State without him.
The pressure now shifts to Tyler Bowen. As the offensive line coach, he has to start producing real progress.
Justin Frye drew criticism for recruiting misses and didn’t have a standout line until his final season in 2024. Bowen has a reputation as a strong recruiter, but he still hasn’t landed a five-star up front, which puts even more weight on development.
That development has to show up soon. The next two games against Kent State and Illinois should be wins, but the Buckeyes head to Iowa after that, and that trip will demand much more from the offensive line. Ohio State needs every piece in place by then.
A game without Daniels may not just be a short-term fix. It could be the chance to learn something useful about how this line should be built going forward.
In Other News...
Ohio State May Need More Khary Wilder Than Anyone Expected
Khary Wilder arrived at Ohio State with the kind of high school rsum that naturally creates a little buzz, and early this season he has started to justify it. The freshman defensive lineman has already shown he can move around the front, handle multiple spots and make his presence felt even in limited snaps, which is exactly the sort of flexibility the Buckeyes tend to value when the games start to tighten up.
Wilders early impact has also created a familiar kind of coaching dilemma: how much more can a young player give you before his role has to grow? Ohio State has plenty of bodies up front, but Wilders versatility and activity have made it hard to ignore him, and as the season goes on the question may not be whether he is ready for more playing time, but how soon the Buckeyes are willing to give it to him. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Faces One Immediate Test After That Texas Collapse
The Texas loss left Ohio State with an immediate chance to reset, and the matchup with Kent State offers a very different kind of test. After watching a 20-point fourth-quarter lead slip away, the Buckeyes are not just trying to win, they are trying to show cleaner habits, steadier footing and a better finish before the schedule tightens again.
There is also a roster ripple to watch on both sides of the ball. Bo Jackson is being projected to have a fast start on the ground, while Khary Wilder could be in line for more work after showing enough in limited snaps to keep his name in the rotation. The real question is how far the staff chooses to push the regulars in a game that should be controlled, but may still carry a little extra weight after what happened in Austin. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State's Big Ten Slate Sets Up A Brutal Test For Jake Diebler
The Big Tens 2026-27 basketball schedule has landed, and it gives Jake Dieblers Ohio State team a clear early look at what the grind will be like in conference play. The Buckeyes will get a 20-game league slate with an even split of 10 home and 10 away games, plus home-and-away meetings with Michigan, Penn State and Iowa that should help define the shape of the season.
The road starts quickly, with Big Ten play opening at Nebraska on Dec. 2, then stretches through a winter that will demand balance and consistency from a roster trying to climb in the league. Ohio State closes the regular season at home against Michigan on March 7, which gives the Buckeyes a fittingly big finish, even if the larger question is how they handle the tough middle months before that showdown arrives. [Read more 🡒]