Ohio State went on the road to Seattle and left with a statement, taking down Washington 24-6 in a game defined by toughness and poise. The Buckeye defense stole the show, shutting down Washington’s much-hyped three-headed offensive monster and holding them without a touchdown all night. On the other side, freshman quarterback Julian Sayin looked composed in a hostile environment, while Jeremiah Smith continued his Heisman campaign with another standout performance. Another storyline moving forward, though, is in the backfield—where Bo Jackson once again flashed star power and made his case to be RB1. This win wasn’t just another notch in the win column; it was a clear sign that Ohio State has the pieces for another championship run.

Defensive Dominance

Ohio State’s defense was the driving force in the 24-6 win, completely neutralizing Washington’s dangerous offensive trio of QB Demond Williams, RB Jonah Coleman, and WR Denzel Boston. Caden Curry turned in a monster performance with three sacks, constantly disrupting the Huskies’ rhythm and forcing them off schedule. Kayden McDonald held down the middle of the line, controlling the trenches and making it nearly impossible for Washington to establish any consistency on the ground. This defensive line might not have the big names like last years squad, but they are producing at a high level so far. With Caden Curry proving himself this week, Kenyatta Jackson on the other side, a solid three-man rotation in the middle, and multiple other edges coming in off the bench, this unit could rival the dominant group from last year.

SACKED!!!

Kayden McDonald takes Demond Williams Jr. down on fourth down! pic.twitter.com/3owcNbjAWg

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 27, 2025

In the secondary, Caleb Downs and Davison Igbinosun were lockdown presences, taking away big-play chances and frustrating Washington’s receivers all day. Linebacker Arvell Reese, once again, proved to be an eraser—shutting down another mobile quarterback and making him a non-factor. Washington was the #1 scoring offense coming in to this game with 55.7 points per game. Also, they averaged 536 total yards but the Buckeyes held them to 234 total yards. Altogether, this defense looked every bit the championship-caliber unit it’s been hyped to be. This defense has proven through the first part of the year with two big tests that they can carry this team if needed to a long playoff run.

Poise From the Quarterback

On offense, freshman quarterback Julian Sayin showed why he continues to gain trust from Ryan Day and the coaching staff. Sayin displayed strong poise in a tough road environment, making smart decisions, protecting the football, and keeping the Buckeyes in control despite Washington’s pressure. His calm presence allowed the offense to stay balanced and take what the defense gave them. The play calling in the first half was very protective of the young quarterback, but they trusted him in the second half and opened it up. That is clearly their strength on offense. The Buckeyes have a gunslinger with elite wideouts, so you have to use them.

Playmakers Step Up

The receiving corps was once again led by Jeremiah Smith, who added another productive outing to his growing highlight reel and continues to look like one of the best young players in the country. Carnell Tate made perhaps the catch of the night, extending for a toe-tap grab. But the biggest offensive note came from the backfield, where freshman Bo Jackson continued to prove he’s the real deal. With explosive runs and consistent production, Jackson separated himself from the rest of the group on Saturday night, and at this point, it’s clear—he needs to be Ohio State’s RB1 moving forward. He seems to always fall forward for extra yards and has great burst into the right gap.

National Contenders

With the way Ohio State handled business in Seattle, paired with the chaos across college football yesterday, the Buckeyes have positioned themselves as true national contenders. The defense might very well be the best in the country, showcasing depth, physicality, and playmakers at every level capable of erasing even the most dynamic offenses. Meanwhile, the offense is beginning to hit its stride, with Julian Sayin’s poise, Jeremiah Smith’s dominance, and Bo Jackson’s emergence as RB1 giving this unit a dangerous edge. Combine that with championship-level depth across the roster, and it’s clear—the Buckeyes aren’t just surviving these early tests, they’re sharpening into a team ready to make another run at it all.