Ohio State’s path forward on offense got a whole lot narrower this week, and that puts even more pressure on a run game that still hasn’t fully found its footing.
With Julian Sayin now officially out indefinitely and expected to miss the rest of the year, the Buckeyes are heading into a difficult stretch with major questions at quarterback. That shifts the spotlight onto a rushing attack that has spent much of the early season trying to get itself right.
The run game has been one of the main talking points around Ohio State since the season opened. It was part of the problem in the Week 2 loss to Texas, though the Buckeyes had started to show some signs of progress over the last month. Then came last week’s game against Indiana, which raised another concern.
Ohio State finished with just 78 rushing yards against the Hoosiers, and that total included the sack yardage taken by Sayin. Strip that out, and the Buckeyes still managed only 109 yards on 28 carries. That works out to 3.89 yards per carry - decent, but not the kind of number that changes the shape of a game.
One of the bright spots was Isaiah West, who produced 45 yards on six carries. With Jackson out, West stepped into a bigger role and delivered the kind of unexpected lift Ohio State has been looking for. He has been trying to carve out a place for himself all season, and this was a meaningful step.
Legend Bey, though, remains the biggest question mark in the backfield. He has been a major disappointment both on the field and, according to the source material, off the field as well. The calls for Ohio State to use him haven’t gone away, but the reality is he still has a long way to go before there’s anything he can actually bring on the field.
And then there’s the offensive line, which may end up determining everything. Ohio State needs that group to lock in and rediscover the level it showed two seasons ago.
The unit is experienced, and Austin Siereveld is expected back after the bye, but the standard now is simple: they have to be great. If they’re not, the Buckeyes may not get much of anything going at all.
In Other News...
Urban Meyer Just Turned Up Pressure On Ohio State's QB Decision
The Buckeyes quarterback picture got even more interesting after Julian Sayins injury, and now an old familiar voice has jumped into the conversation. Urban Meyer, the former Ohio State coach, said Tavien St. Clair should be the next quarterback to get a look, a comment that adds another layer to a decision Ryan Day and his staff are already working through as they try to steady the position.
With the bye week providing a little breathing room, Ohio State is set to use the extra time to let St. Clair and Fahey compete and see who gives the offense the best chance moving forward. It is the sort of evaluation that can shape the rest of the season, and Meyers take only underscores how closely the Buckeyes quarterback situation is being watched right now. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Suddenly Faces A Backfield Question Fans Wont Ignore
JaKobi Jacksons foot injury has turned into a real early-season concern for Ohio State, with the running back having undergone surgery for a Lisfranc issue and now expected to miss several games. The Buckeyes had hoped to get him back in time for the stretch run, and the latest sense around the program is that a return against Michigan remains the target, with the postseason also in view.
Arthur Smith said the timeline is still uncertain, which leaves Ohio State managing the backfield without a clear date for Jacksons return. For a team that knows how much late-season stability matters, especially in rivalry week and beyond, this is the kind of situation that can reshape how the offense handles the weeks ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio States Backfield Just Got More Important Than Ever
JaKobi Jacksons absence is becoming a bigger storyline for Ohio State by the day. The running back underwent surgery for a Lisfranc foot injury and is expected to miss several games after getting hurt against Maryland, which also kept him out against Indiana. The Buckeyes had already been navigating the usual churn of a long season, but losing a back with hopes of returning before the end of the year changes the calculation in a hurry.
Julian Sayins injury only adds to the pressure on the offense, with the quarterback situation still indefinite and the backfield carrying more of the load. For Ohio State, that means the ground game is no longer just a complement to the passing attack, it is central to how the Buckeyes get through the next stretch. The staff will be watching closely to see who can absorb the snaps and steady the offense until Jackson has a chance to come back. [Read more 🡒]