A defense that refuses to blink, a roster searching for its voice, and a unit trying to hold together at the edges—Ohio football gave us a full spectrum week. We open on the Buckeyes’ 24–6 road win at Washington, spotlighting a defense that travels, suffocates, and sets a championship floor. Caden Curry headlines a relentless front that stacks sacks and tackles for loss, while the secondary strangles red zone options. On offense, Justin Sand’s quiet efficiency and a clearer rotation with Bo Jackson, Peoples, and Donaldson signal a workable blueprint—especially if the red zone clicks under the lights against Minnesota. Penn State and Michigan loom, with Illinois circled as a quiet trap.

Then we pivot to the Bengals, where scoreboard pain meets structural fixes. We get honest about quarterback trade options—Russell Wilson’s mobility vs. Cousins’ processing—and why the answer must pair with design changes: two-step timing, tight end hot routes, and flats that punish blitz depth. Penalties and O-line leakage demand empathy in the playbook, not hero ball. Leadership matters when your franchise QB isn’t there; sideline strain can’t become your identity.

We close with the Browns’ reality check: both tackles down, turnover tax up, and an offense capped at 14 points. Dylan Gabriel gets the nod, and the mission is clarity—protect with chips and slides, feed Jerry Jeudy with motion and cleaner stems, and let Jim Schwartz’s defense cash in field position rather than rescue it. London against Minnesota offers a chance to reset tempo and belief. We wrap with locks, upsets, and a quick look at Guardians and Reds postseason hopes, where keeping big bats under five and testing thin bullpens could swing a series.

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