Isaiah West

Ohio State Football: Undisciplined Mistakes and Puzzling Clock Management Plague Buckeyes in Loss to USC

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (2) tackles USC Trojans wide receiver Trent Mosley (4) during the NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network Via Reuters Co
November 2, 2026
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After a puzzling 30-18 loss to the Trojans in LA, Ohio State is ranked outside the top ten for the first time in over five years. Coming off a bye week, the Buckeyes came out noticeably flat and undisciplined against USC. The Trojans struck on the second play with a screen pass to Trent Mosley that went 69 yards for a touchdown. Right away, the defense was not gap-sound, and…

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Ohio State Football: How Will Ohio State’s Run Game Matchup against USC’s Defensive Front?

BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 17: Isaiah West (32) of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball during the college football game against the Indiana Hoosiers on October 17, 2026 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
October 29, 2026
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Ohio State’s run game has been lackluster and needs to change against USC, with inexperience at quarterback and postseason hopes on the line. Ohio State is coming off a contest in which the running backs out-rushed the Hoosiers’ backfield 107 yards to 70. This doesn’t happen often to an Indiana team that averages just under 177 rush yards per game. If the Buckeyes want to win in Los Angeles on…

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Challenges Ohio State Football Faces the Rest of Season and How They Should Be Navigated

Ohio State now finds itself squarely in a six-week gauntlet that has been anticipated since the release of the 2026 schedule. The stretch will unfold as follows post-Indiana: BYE, @USC and then Oregon, Northwestern, @Nebraska and Michigan. With Northwestern being one of the biggest surprises in college football this year, all five of OSU’s remaining opponents sit inside the top 32 in the FPI rankings as of this week. We are going to find out what this OSU team is truly made of as depth will be as important as ever. Improved Discipline Ohio State ranks 68th in the country when it comes to penalties per game, averaging nearly 7 per game. The matchup against Maryland was no exception either as OSU committed 8 penalties for 65 yards and Ryan Day was not hiding his displeasure on the sidelines throughout the contest. On one particular drive, a roughing the passer penalty bailed Maryland out on third down. Then on following drive, Maryland found some succcess moving the ball into their red zone. When the Buckeyes had a chance to bow up and force a field goal, they instead committed back-to-back penalties that allowed the Terps to easily punch it in and cut OSU’s lead to 14-10 early. Against Indiana, Ohio State only committed 4 penalties, but they were costly ones. Jermaine Mathew’s roughing the passer. Holding call to take the offense out of field goal range and Luke Fahey’s intentional grounding were all costly mistakes. Even though OSU came out with the win, there was a slew of errors that kept Indiana within striking distance all game. OSU’s depth was certainly tested against Indiana. The status of Julian Sayin is still unknown and coach Day as alluded to the fact that they trust Luke Fahey moving forward. With that said, Ryan Day wants his team to be a “four quarter” football team. Being able to sustain focus and play smart football for four quarters will be a major key to watch if Ohio State wants to take care of business during this stretch, no matter who ends up taking the field for Coach Day. Otherwise, The Buckeyes could find themselves unable to manage or finish games during a period of time where they can’t afford to. Sustain Run Game Arthur Smith offenses are notorious for being with predicated on and creative in the run game, going back to his days calling plays for the Tennessee Titans with Derick Henry. Although OSU got off to a fairly slow start running the ball this year, the results have steadily improved, particularly in Big Ten play. In the past four games, Ohio State’s leading rushers (Bo Jackson, Ja’Kobi Jackson and/or Isaiah West) have combined for 109, 142, 183 and then 101 yards against a stout Indiana run defense. Considering The Buckeyes are now depending on backup QB Luke Fahey for the foreseeable future, have this run game peaking at the right time is essential. Keeping the pressure off of Fahey and not allowing defenses to pin their ears back on him is a must moving forward. With that, the offense should be able to operate at a high enough level to make it through the regular season as a playoff team, assuming Luke is able to protect the football. Defense Wins Championships What Matt Patricia has been able to do with his unit after losing so much talent to the NFL has been remarkable. Ohio State’s defense currently ranks No. 4 nationally in both opponent yards (264.3) and opponent points per game (13.4). It wasn’t always easy for the defense, as pass rush was a major issue up until Big Ten play and the Illinois game exposed the defense with a handful of big plays. However, since then this unit has essentially been lights out. The pass rush, although not quite where it needs to be, has improved dramatically. Particularly with the surge of guys like Qua Russaw and Eddrick Houston. Defensive Back blitzes have also been a useful way to apply pressure, as evident with Jaylen McClain making a huge strip sack against Indiana and even Jermaine Mathews hitting Josh Hoover on the questionable roughing the passer penalty. Being able to successfully apply this pressure was the missing link in what has now become an elite defensive unit. With so much unknown and inexperience leading the offense, this defense will be even more important. If the offense isn’t able to sustain success or takes time to gel under Fahey, The Buckeyes may have to win games with defense, much like they arguably did in Bloomington. Ohio State certainly has their work cut out for them as they navigate the next five games with a winded roster. Injuries are part of the game though and any team on OSU’s schedule is going to dedicate game plans to exploit this. The coaching staff has done an exceptional job thus far, but the challenges have only grown in difficulty. This bye week couldn’t come at a better time for the Buckeyes.
October 19, 2026
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After surviving a thriller in Bloomington, Ohio State now faces replacing Julian Sayin and navigating a challenging five-game stretch. Ohio State now faces a five-week gauntlet that has been anticipated since the 2026 schedule dropped. The stretch will unfold as follows post-Indiana: Idle, @USC, Oregon, Northwestern, @Nebraska, and Michigan. With Northwestern being one of the biggest surprises in college football this year, all five of OSU’s remaining opponents sit inside…

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Ohio State vs Indiana: Buckeyes Survive an Instant Classic in Bloomington, but Not Without a Cost

Image Credit: Justin Cohen Photography
October 17, 2026
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Ohio State survives a 19-15 win in Bloomington, but not without a handful of injuries, as Julian Sayin is expected to miss several weeks. The last two National Champions. No. 4 vs. No. 5. The biggest Big Ten game of the season. The Buckeyes squared off against the Hoosiers in Bloomington in a massive top-5 clash. Ohio State received the kickoff to start. The Buckeyes go back-to-back run fakes and…

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Buckeye Stock Market: Week 5 Risers & Fallers From Buckeyes’ Win Over Iowa

Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Hank Brown (9) carries the ball during a Big Ten college football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes Oct. 3, 2026 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Cit, USA TODAY Network Via Reuters Co
October 5, 2026
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Ohio State’s impressive 31-14 road win over Iowa brings big moves in the Buckeye Stock Market after Week 5.  The Ohio State Buckeyes are 4-1 following a 31-14 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes. Which players saw their stock rise and fall in this week’s edition Buckeye Stock Market? Buckeyes Rising Jeremiah Smith Ohio State superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is on a tear to start his junior season. Smith had…

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Buckeye Stock Market: Week 4 Risers & Fallers From Ohio State’s Win Over Illinois

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) celebrates with teammates after defeating Illinois Fighting Illini in the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. | Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch
September 28, 2026
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Ohio State is 3-1 following a 42-19 win over Illinois. Which players saw their stock rise & fall in the Week 4 edition of Stock Buckeye Market? Let’s revisit our series with a week four edition of Buckeye Stock Market. We’ll start with the Buckeyes that stood out this week. Buckeyes Rising Julian Sayin Junior quarterback Julian Sayin bounced back this week with a strong performance against Illinois. Sayin looked the…

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Buckeye Stock Market: Week 3 Risers & Fallers from Ohio State’s Win Over Kent State

Ohio State wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. | Image Credit: Ohio State Football
September 21, 2026
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The Buckeyes dominated Kent State 59-3. With Big Ten play coming up, here’s this week’s Buckeye Stock Market. There wasn’t much to learn about Ohio State during its seemingly dominant performance against Kent State. However, this week’s Buckeye Stock Market saw some risers and fallers. Buckeyes Falling Devin McCuin Senior wide receiver Devin McCuin didn’t have the productive game many expected after a disappointing one-catch performance against Texas. The Buckeyes…

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Ohio State Football: Why Jeremiah Smith Will Shine vs Longhorns

Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith | Image Credit: Ohio State Football
September 11, 2026
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Texas has limited Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith in each of the last two meetings, but here’s why Smith will still shine. Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith is looking to change the narrative ahead of a critical matchup against Texas. Fresh off a performance against Ball State in which he caught 8 passes for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns, Jeremiah Smith will now face his Achilles’ heel: the Texas…

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Ohio State Football: 3 Players Poised to Break Out Against Ball State

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) attempts to catch the ball against Cornerback Devin Sanchez (6) in the first half of the Ohio State football spring game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch
September 1, 2026
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The Ohio State Buckeyes are just days away from their week one matchup against Ball State in Columbus. Here are 3 players who could break out on Saturday.  Ryan Day and his staff have been working meticulously behind the scenes for this moment, filling roster holes, adapting the game plan, and assessing how each new addition will fit the team. As week one approaches, the Buckeyes will look to these…

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Ohio State Football: Freshmen Legend Bey and Jordan Thomas Shed Black Stripes

Ohio State running back Legend Bey
August 26, 2026
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Ohio State football’s Legend Bey and Jordan Thomas became the sixth and seventh freshmen to shed black stripes in Tuesday’s practice. Freshman phenom Legend Bey has been a standout in Ohio State practice after missing the first two days of fall camp due to a suspension for violating team rules. Bey also missed all of spring due to shoulder surgery. After serving his suspension, Bey returned to practice and has…

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