Ryan Day delivered a blunt message before Ohio State begins Big Ten play against Illinois: The Buckeyes' running backs need to "run angry and run physical."

Joe breaks down Day's challenge to Bo Jackson, Ja'Kobi Jackson and Isaiah West; Ohio State's continuing short-yardage problems; and the competition along the right side of the offensive line. Could Gabe VanSickle remain at right guard with Austin Siereveld at right tackle—even if Phillip Daniels returns?

We also examine Julian Sayin's next developmental step, Brandon Inniss's growing role, the young defenders Ohio State wants to build around and Matt Patricia's search for a dependable pass rush.

From the Illinois side, Bret Bielema's team enters Columbus with one of the country's most productive passing combinations. Quarterback Katin Houser and receiver Collin Dixon will test an Ohio State defense still trying to establish its identity after the collapse at Texas.

Topics include:

• Ryan Day's public challenge to the running backs
• Bo Jackson versus Ja'Kobi Jackson
• Ohio State's third-down and short-yardage failures
• Gabe VanSickle, Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels
• Julian Sayin's timing and Brandon Inniss's emergence
• Riley Pettijohn, Jay Timmons and Ohio State's young defense
• Katin Houser and Collin Dixon
• Illinois's unstable offensive line
• The Buckeyes' special-teams concerns

Thursday, September 24, 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 offense delivered its best performance of the season in a 42–19 victory over Illinois.

Jeremiah Smith produced a historic afternoon with 12 catches for 217 yards and four touchdowns, while Julian Sayin completed 27 of 36 passes for 367 yards, accounted for five total touchdowns and finally used his mobility as an offensive weapon.

We break down the film, statistics, PFF grades and snap counts from Ohio State's Big Ten opener, including:

• Six touchdowns on eight meaningful possessions
• Five touchdown drives covering at least 75 yards
• Ohio State's improved offensive-line combination
• Gabe VanSickle and Austin Siereveld on the right side
• Sayin's growth as a passer and runner
• Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson answering Ryan Day's challenge
• An eight-for-12 performance on third down
• A perfect four-for-four day in the red zone
• The search for a second receiving option beside Jeremiah Smith
• Why the scoreless third quarter wasn't as concerning as it appeared
• Two fourth-quarter touchdown drives that finished the game properly

The Buckeyes showed meaningful offensive progress, but questions remain about the lack of explosive runs and how heavily the passing game depends on Smith.

Was this the beginning of Ohio State's offensive breakthrough—or can the Buckeyes only sustain this level when Jeremiah Smith takes over?

Monday, September 28, 2026

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Ohio State travels to Kinnick Stadium for the first time since its stunning 55–24 loss to Iowa in 2017. This time, the fifth-ranked Buckeyes face an undefeated Iowa team coming off a dramatic last-second victory at Michigan.

We break down the most important Ohio State–Iowa matchups, including whether the Buckeyes can contain Kamari Moulton and Iowa's rushing attack after allowing 199 rushing yards against Illinois.

On the other side, Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin will face an Iowa defense that leads the country in scoring defense—but surrendered 429 yards against Michigan. Can Ohio State attack the Hawkeyes' secondary, protect the football and prevent Iowa from turning this into a field-position battle?

Topics include:

• Hank Brown's efficient start at quarterback
• Reece Vander Zee and Iowa's tight ends
• Iowa's running backs against Ohio State's run defense
• Jeremiah Smith against the Hawkeye secondary
• Ohio State's offensive line against Phil Parker's defense
• The areas Ohio State can exploit
• Iowa's dangerous return game
• The impact of Kinnick Stadium and the Buckeyes' 2017 loss

Ohio State and Iowa kick off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

Wednesday, September 30, 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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Ohio State travels to Kinnick Stadium for its first Big Ten road game of the season and its first visit to Iowa City since the disastrous 55–24 loss in 2017.

The undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes lead the nation in scoring defense, excel on special teams and are coming off a dramatic last-second victory at Michigan. Ohio State has more talent, but defeating Iowa will require patience, discipline and a much better defensive performance than the Buckeyes delivered against Illinois.

Joe breaks down five keys to an Ohio State victory and explains exactly what he needs to see from the Buckeyes on Saturday:

• Protect the football
• Remain patient without becoming passive
• Establish a functional running game
• Fix the defensive gap and tackling problems
• Win the field-position and special-teams battle

We also discuss Julian Sayin's second major road test, Jeremiah Smith against Phil Parker's defense, Iowa quarterback Hank Brown, Jay Timmons' uncertain status and whether Ohio State's defensive ends can finally generate consistent production.

Can the Buckeyes handle the Kinnick Stadium environment and earn their first ranked victory of the season?

Friday, October 2, 2026

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Ohio State defeated Illinois 42–19, but the final score hides some serious defensive problems.

The Buckeyes allowed 462 total yards, 199 rushing yards and 15 plays of at least 10 yards. Illinois averaged six yards per carry and produced eight plays covering at least 20 yards—numbers that will not hold up against the best teams remaining on Ohio State's schedule.

Joe breaks down the defensive film, PFF grades and snap counts, including:

• Why the run defense earned a failing grade
• Ohio State's season-high three sacks
• Matt Patricia's decision to bring more pressure
• The explosive plays created when the blitz did not reach Katin Houser
• Whether Ohio State is rotating too many defenders
• The communication problems Payton Pierce acknowledged
• Jaylen McClain's eight tackles and four pass breakups
• Riley Pettijohn's case for an expanded role
• Strong situational defense despite the troubling yardage
• The two fourth-down stops that prevented another late collapse

Ohio State recorded 12 pass breakups and allowed only two touchdowns in nine Illinois possessions. But after surrendering the most yardage it has allowed since the 2024 Oregon game, this defense remains a long way from championship form.

Can Patricia find a dependable core and generate pressure without constantly blitzing before the Buckeyes travel to Iowa?

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

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