In Reply to: Not excited about playing a team favored by 32 that wants to prove... posted by Born2BBruin on November 13, 2025 at 11:08:59
It's all about winning these days. Style points are for the pretenders and wannabes.
Ohio State learned last season it's all about getting into the post season. After that: Just keep winning.
Ryan Day has made it crystal clear, he's interested only in winning games, be it by 40 points or one. Just win. Style points in the regular season are meaningless.
He admits he has yet not put the pedal clearly to the floor. Ohio State -- so far -- rarely uses a hurry-up offense. The team averages around 70 plays a game, which is not a low number nationally. But, at times the Ohio State offense is methodical. Day knows what his passing game can do. But, he keeps tinkering with the run game. Changing linemen, changing running backs, searching for the best combinations.
By playing a somewhat methodical style of offense, Day says he hopes to have a fresher offense when the games become more meaningful. (Make that read: MICHIGAN, Big Ten Championship game and post season).
Day has indicated the team will remain on cruise control (my words, not his) against UCLA.
To me, that's scary. It's the very rare team -- in any sport -- that can turn it on after being in cruise control for mmucg/most of the regular season.
That said, this Ohio State team is better than last season, both sides of the ball.
They lost a lot up front, but the defense is elite. The DL is more athletic than '24. The DBs are all back and a year older and the linebackers (Styles and Reese) are as good as anybody. Reese is playing like a first team All-America.
The QB is not as athletic as '24 but Sayin is a better passer. Hard to improve on a completion record of near 80%. The receivers are all back and the first couple guys off the bench would be starting for half the teams in the Big Ten. Purdue TE transfer Max Klare is a weapon. Better than anything last year and there are 2-3 backup TEs who play a lot. Not unusual for Ohio State to play 2, 3 and even four TEs on short yardage goal line situations.
Weakness: The running back position is pretty much been run by committee affair. True freshman Bo Jackson is clearly No. 1, but there are 2-3 others who play extensively is not always great. Jackson is explosive, but he doesn't hit the home run like Henderson and Judkins last season. CJ Donaldson, a West Virginia transfer, lost his starting job to Jackson. He now is primarily a short yardage specialist. Behind Jackson are a couple of freshmen who at times show promise.
The O line is good, but ... the right guard position has been a problem at times. When push comes to shove in a tight game against a good team, running the ball could be a challenge for Ohio State.
One final comment: Keep an eye on Jeremiah Smith. He's a generational talent. He probably won't win the Heisman, but no offensive player in the country plays his position better than Smith. In recent weeks he's good for at least one "how did he do that?" kind of reception. Double team Smith, and the slot receiver, Carnell Tate will take over the game. Together, Tate, Smith and Sayin are lethal.