Ohio State’s new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, is walking into a job with plenty of buzz and no shortage of expectations. Around the program, the early returns are getting attention, and several Buckeyes have already spoken glowingly about what he’s bringing to the table.
Linebacker Christian Alliegro praised the offense during yesterday’s media availability, Isaiah West said Smith brings "structure" to the Buckeyes, and Bennett Christian also had plenty of positive things to say about his new coach. The message coming out of the locker room is clear: Smith is changing the feel of the offense, and some believe that change could help push this group toward elite status next year.
But the résumé tells a more complicated story. Smith has never called plays for a college team before, and his offenses have not exactly been known for lighting up scoreboards. In Atlanta, his units were below average, and before his final year in Tennessee - when he had Derrick Henry and AJ Brown - his offenses were only average.
That makes the excitement around him interesting, especially because it echoes the conversation Ohio State had last year with Matt Patricia. The results on defense spoke for themselves, and the Buckeyes were dominant in a way nobody could really touch.
Smith now gets his shot with a strong quarterback and, as the source puts it, Smith. He won’t have Derrick Henry-type talent in the backfield - nobody does - but he does have a pair of dependable running backs and a freshman who is waiting to make his mark.
The timeline is tight, too. Ohio State will have just one week to clean up the rough edges before everything has to be clicking. That first real test comes when the Buckeyes travel to Austin, Texas.
And there won’t be much room for error. Beating the Longhorns will require near perfection, especially with Texas described as one of the most talented and most veteran teams in the SEC. For Ohio State, it’s an early-season chance to prove the offense is ready right away.
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Cardale Jones was among the former Buckeyes who pushed back, saying he disagreed with the change and stressing the value of keeping Senior Day at the end of the year. The debate now sits at the intersection of tradition and modern college football, where even long-standing rituals can feel unsettled, and Ohio States move has left some wondering whether this is a one-time adjustment or a sign of more changes to come. [Read more 🡒]