The Ohio State Buckeyes are no strangers to pressure. But heading into the 2024 College Football Playoff, they weren’t just under pressure - they were under scrutiny. Two regular-season losses, including a gut-punch of a defeat to Michigan, had many wondering if this team still had the juice to make a serious postseason run.
Instead of folding, Ohio State took a hard look in the mirror. What they saw wasn’t a lack of talent - it was a need for change. And that change came in the form of a bold shift in offensive philosophy.
Let’s rewind to that Michigan game. The Buckeyes tried to win it the hard way - between the tackles, in the trenches, playing smashmouth football against a team built for that exact fight.
The result? A game plan that played right into Michigan’s hands.
That wasn’t an isolated case either. Throughout the season, Ohio State had a tendency to condense games, leaning on tight formations and heavy personnel sets.
Against Nebraska and Penn State, it nearly cost them. Against Northwestern and Indiana, the scoreboard may have looked comfortable in the end, but those games were far from easy in the first half.
Something had to give - and it finally did when the Buckeyes welcomed Tennessee to Columbus.
From the opening snap, it was clear this wasn’t the same Ohio State offense. The Buckeyes came out firing, with Emeka Egbuka, TreVeyon Henderson, and true freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith all making noise on the opening drive.
Smith capped it off with a 37-yard touchdown that set the tone for the rest of the night. Ohio State didn’t just open the playbook - they tore the hinges off.
The passing game was aggressive, creative, and relentless. Tennessee never had a chance to settle in.
That same explosive identity carried over into their next matchup against Oregon. Once again, Jeremiah Smith was the centerpiece, hauling in seven catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns.
The Buckeyes weren’t just taking what the defense gave them - they were dictating terms. They were hunting big plays, and they were hitting them.
That aggressive mindset became their calling card, and it’s what turned their season around.
Now, as Ohio State prepares for the Cotton Bowl Classic against Miami on New Year’s Eve, the question is whether that same offensive identity can carry them into 2025.
There’s reason to believe it can - and should.
The Buckeyes have flirted with explosive offense throughout the year, but the Big Ten Championship Game against Indiana was a reminder of what happens when they stray from that identity. In that loss, redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin looked uncomfortable all night.
Indiana brought pressure, and Ohio State’s response was to lean into heavier personnel, trying to manufacture mismatches that never materialized. The result?
A game plan that played right into Indiana’s strengths - again.
It’s no coincidence that when Ohio State spreads defenses out and lets its playmakers go to work, the offense hums. When they try to win with brute force, things get murky.
Now, with head coach Ryan Day back in charge of play-calling, there’s a sense that the Buckeyes could be gearing up for another philosophical shift - or maybe a return to the one that sparked their playoff run last year. Day has shown he’s willing to adapt when the moment demands it, and this moment might demand exactly that.
There’s no question the talent is there. Sayin has the arm.
Smith is already a matchup nightmare. Henderson and Egbuka give the offense balance and versatility.
The pieces are in place. The only question is whether the Buckeyes will lean into what they do best - attacking downfield, playing fast, and keeping defenses on their heels.
If they do, don’t be surprised if Ohio State makes another deep run. Because when this offense opens up and plays fearless football, it’s a different beast entirely.