The Buckeye Cast

Ohio State is preparing to move forward without Julian Sayin—and Ryan Day says everyone must step up.

Sayin is out indefinitely, leaving Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair to compete for the starting quarterback job during the bye week. Fahey remains the frontrunner, but both quarterbacks are receiving first-team repetitions before Day makes his final decision.

Joe breaks down the most important comments from Ryan Day, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and the Ohio State players.

Topics include:

• Why Fahey remains ahead of St. Clair • What the coaches like about each quarterback • How Arthur Smith could change the offense • Ohio State's unresolved offensive-line problems • The Big Ten admitting missed calls against Jeremiah Smith • Matt Patricia's improved run defense • Jay Timmons' rapid development • Why the defense must carry more responsibility • What the coaches' comments really mean before USC

Ohio State still expects to compete for the Big Ten and national championships. But replacing Sayin will require much more than simply choosing a new quarterback.

Thursday, October 22, 2026

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Ohio State's season has changed dramatically. Julian Sayin is out indefinitely, and Ryan Day says Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair will compete for the starting quarterback job during the bye week.

Fahey remains the frontrunner after winning the backup job and entering first against Indiana. But St. Clair will receive first-team repetitions and a legitimate opportunity to earn the start against USC. Day expects to make his final decision next week.

Joe breaks down the strengths of both quarterbacks, what should decide the competition and how Arthur Smith must adjust Ohio State's offense around the winner.

We also examine:

• Why the offensive line must improve immediately • How Isaiah West could help the running game • What Ohio State can learn from the 2014 championship team • The defense's dramatic improvement against the run • The remaining concerns in the secondary • Young Buckeyes who should receive larger roles • Five priorities for Ohio State during the bye week

The Buckeyes still have enough talent to compete for the Big Ten and national championships. But the decision between Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair could define the rest of the season.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

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Ohio State held Indiana's powerful rushing attack to just 73 yards in a 19–15 road victory that ended the Hoosiers' 22-game winning streak.

Indiana entered the game averaging 221.3 rushing yards and 6.1 yards per carry. The Buckeyes limited the Hoosiers to 2.5 yards per attempt—and only 12 rushing yards in the second half.

Joe breaks down how Ohio State's defensive front controlled the game, the importance of its defensive-line and linebacker depth, and the impact performances from Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Payton Pierce, Jay Timmons, Earl Little Jr. and Jaylen McClain.

We also examine the defensive PFF grades and snap counts, Indiana's 296 passing yards, the two forced fumbles and a final defensive stand that came within inches of ending differently.

Ohio State–Indiana defensive review:

• Indiana held to 73 rushing yards • Only 12 second-half rushing yards allowed • Defensive-line depth making a difference • Payton Pierce and the linebacker rotation • Jay Timmons' impact return • Earl Little Jr.'s continued production • Jaylen McClain's fourth-down strip-sack • Concerns after Charlie Becker gained 165 yards • Defensive PFF grades and snap counts • What this performance means without Julian Sayin

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

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Ohio State defeated Indiana 19–15 in Bloomington, ending the Hoosiers' 22-game winning streak—but the victory came with a potentially significant cost.

Julian Sayin left the game after suffering a right-arm injury on a fourth-quarter sack. Ryan Day said Sayin will probably miss several weeks, potentially leaving true freshman Luke Fahey to lead the Buckeyes against USC and Oregon.

Joe breaks down Sayin's uneven performance, his two massive fourth-down touchdown passes, Fahey being thrown into a top-five road game, Ohio State's continued pass-protection problems and an inconsistent running game. We also examine Isaiah West's productive performance, the red-zone struggles and what the offense must fix during the bye week.

Ohio State–Indiana offensive review:

• Julian Sayin's injury and possible timeline • What Luke Fahey showed in emergency action • Four sacks and continued offensive-line concerns • Sayin's two interceptions and two fourth-down touchdowns • Isaiah West making a case for more carries • Bo Jackson and the short-yardage struggles • Ohio State's red-zone performance • PFF grades and offensive snap counts • What must change before the USC game

Monday, October 19, 2026

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Ohio State travels to Bloomington for a top-five showdown against defending national champion Indiana. The Hoosiers have won 22 consecutive games, including last season's 13–10 victory over the Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Joe breaks down the five things Ohio State must do to end Indiana's streak:

• Protect Julian Sayin against a defense with 20 sacks • Stay committed to Bo Jackson and the running game • Turn red-zone opportunities into touchdowns • Stop Indiana's two-headed rushing attack and pressure Josh Hoover • Prevent explosive passes to Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker

We also establish a measurable checklist that we'll revisit Monday, examine the importance of Phillip Daniels' expected return and explain why Ohio State must remain aggressive if it takes a fourth-quarter lead.

Indiana has shown that it can be pressured. Ohio State now has to prove it can finish.

Friday, October 16, 2026

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Ryan Day, Julian Sayin and Payton Pierce met with the media before Ohio State's top-five showdown at Indiana. The biggest message was clear: the Buckeyes cannot allow emotion or last year's loss to distract them from executing for 60 minutes.

Joe breaks down the expected return of starting right tackle Phillip Daniels, Ohio State's offensive-line plan, the continued red-zone concerns and why Day believes Eddrick Houston needs his best performance of the season.

We also examine:

• How Julian Sayin has improved against pressure

• Why Ohio State may use more tempo

• Legend Bey's growing role

• The challenge presented by Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker

• Payton Pierce's response to criticism

• Curt Cignetti calling Jeremiah Smith a "freak"

• The weaknesses Indiana revealed against Nebraska

• What Indiana's players said about the magnitude of Saturday's game

Neither team wants to call this a revenge game, but Ohio State cannot ignore the situational mistakes that produced last year's 13–10 loss.

Thursday, October 15, 2026

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Ohio State travels to Bloomington for a top-five showdown with defending national champion Indiana—and a rematch of last season's Big Ten Championship Game.

The undefeated Hoosiers have won 22 straight games, but Northwestern and Nebraska both pushed them deep into the fourth quarter. We examine why those games stayed close, how Indiana escaped and what Ohio State can learn from them.

Joe breaks down Josh Hoover, explosive receivers Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker, Indiana's two-headed running game and a defense that has recorded 20 sacks while allowing fewer than 12 points per game.

We also examine the matchups that could decide the game:

• Can Ohio State's improved run defense contain Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr.?

• Can Devin Sanchez and the Buckeye secondary prevent Indiana's explosive passes?

• Will Ohio State's offensive line hold up against Indiana's pressure?

• Can Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith attack a secondary that allowed big passing totals against Northwestern and Nebraska?

• Most importantly, can the Buckeyes finish a game that remains close in the fourth quarter?

Indiana has shown that it can be pressured. Putting the Hoosiers away has been the difficult part.

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

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Ohio State's defense completely shut down Maryland, allowing only 146 total yards and 10 offensive points in a 45–16 victory. The Terrapins averaged just 2.8 yards per play, ran for only 82 yards and failed to complete a pass longer than 12 yards.

Joe breaks down another major step forward from Ohio State's run defense, the emergence of Eddrick Houston and the strong defensive tackle rotation featuring Jason Moore and John Walker. Jaylen McClain continued his dependable play, while Cam Calhoun stepped up at nickel with Jay Timmons unavailable.

But the performance was not perfect. Ohio State recorded zero sacks, forced zero turnovers and kept Maryland's only touchdown drive alive with four defensive penalties. We examine the defensive PFF grades and snap counts, revisit Friday's benchmarks and explain why the missing pass rush could become a serious concern against Indiana.

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

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Ohio State scored 45 points and gained 449 yards in its win over Maryland, but Ryan Day knows the Buckeyes must clean up their mistakes before traveling to Indiana.

Joe breaks down an improved Ohio State running game that produced 207 yards, including 107 yards and two touchdowns from Bo Jackson. The Buckeyes also finished their second consecutive victory with a physical drive that lasted nearly 10 minutes.

Julian Sayin threw four touchdown passes, Jeremiah Smith scored on his first two receptions and Ohio State received explosive plays from Nate Roberts and Chris Henry Jr. But the offense also committed two turnovers, allowed two sacks and converted only five of 13 third downs.

We examine the latest offensive-line combination featuring Jake Cook and Gabe VanSickle, grade Ohio State's performance against Friday's checklist and explain why the Buckeyes are clearly better than they were against Texas—but still not ready to survive those same mistakes against Indiana.

Monday, October 12, 2026

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Ohio State returns home to face Maryland before a major road test at Indiana. The Buckeyes should win comfortably, but Saturday still provides an important opportunity to fix several problems and continue the progress they've made since losing to Texas.

Joe breaks down five keys to an Ohio State victory, including starting fast, creating explosive runs, protecting Julian Sayin and getting more receivers involved alongside Jeremiah Smith. The defense must pressure Maryland quarterback Malik Washington, contain leading receiver Chris Durr Jr. and help Devin Sanchez eliminate the penalties that have followed him during the last two games.

The biggest concern remains special teams. Ryan Day admitted Ohio State has not improved enough in that area, and the Buckeyes cannot afford another blocked kick or costly return penalty.

Plus, the specific numbers Joe wants to see, which young Buckeyes should receive meaningful playing time and a final score prediction for Ohio State vs. Maryland.

Friday, October 9, 2026

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