Land-Grant Podcast Network: An Ohio State University podcast

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The home of FFSN's podcast feed for THE Ohio State University. A feed for the Buckeye fan, by the Buckeye fan.

  1. 1d ago

    Off-Script Ohio: Ohio State rolls past Ball State, but Texas is already looming

    Ohio State football is officially back, and if Saturday was any indication, the Buckeyes haven't lost much of their swagger. No. 1 Ohio State opened the 2026 season with a 56-3 demolition of Ball State, piling up 671 total yards while holding the Cardinals to just 165. The Buckeyes scored touchdowns on eight of their next 11 possessions after going three-and-out on their opening drive, turning what was supposed to be a tune-up game into exactly that. But as much as there was to like about Saturday, the real test is already here. Ohio State travels to Austin next Saturday to take on No. 5 Texas in a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ABC. Let's start with the obvious one. Jeremiah Smith was ridiculous. The junior receiver finished with eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns, with both scores coming in the first half. His first was a 48-yard one-handed touchdown grab, while his second came on a toe-tapping catch in the back of the end zone with just 10 seconds remaining before halftime. Eight catches, 151 yards and two touchdowns before halftime. That's about as strong of a Heisman opening statement as you could make. Smith was the biggest star of the afternoon, but what stood out almost as much was how many different players Ohio State was able to get involved. Fourteen different Buckeyes caught a pass, while Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson each finished with 83 rushing yards and a touchdown. This offense has plenty of weapons. Arthur Smith's first real game as Ohio State's offensive coordinator showed that pretty clearly. The biggest question surrounding Ohio State entering the season was obvious, what would Julian Sayin look like as the full-time starting quarterback? The answer, at least against Ball State, was pretty encouraging. Sayin completed 27 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns while also adding a rushing touchdown. He looked comfortable operating the offense, made several impressive throws downfield and showed some mobility that should make him even more difficult to defend as the season progresses. Obviously, Ball State isn't Texas. But Sayin didn't need to do anything spectacular. He just needed to look like a quarterback who belonged in the driver's seat of a team with national championship expectations, and he did. There was always going to be some uncertainty surrounding Ohio State's defense after losing so much production from last year's historic unit. Saturday offered a pretty encouraging first glimpse. The Buckeyes held Ball State to just 165 total yards and three points. The Cardinals never found the end zone, while Ohio State's defense consistently made life difficult for the Ball State offense. The most important thing wasn't necessarily the final numbers. It was seeing some of the younger players and new pieces actually get on the field and begin establishing themselves. This group doesn't need to be last year's defense. It just needs to become its own version of a great Ohio State defense. And Saturday was a pretty good first step. This was probably my favorite part of the game. Ohio State didn't just blow out Ball State. It got young players meaningful reps. Legend Bey scored his first career touchdown on a 25-yard catch-and-run, while Chris Henry Jr. scored on the first catch of his Ohio State career. Jay Timmons also saw significant action at nickel, while Khary Wilder moved around the defensive front and made an impact in pass-rushing situations. For a team trying to reload rather than rebuild, that's exactly what you want to see. The talent is there. Now it's about figuring out which young players can turn those flashes into consistent roles. And this is where the conversation changes. Ohio State did exactly what it was supposed to do Saturday. It dominated a lesser opponent, got its starters meaningful work, gave younger players opportunities and escaped without any major drama. But nobody is going to remember a 56-3 win in November if the Buckeyes aren't ready for what comes next. Texas looked just as dominant in its opener, crushing Texas State 59-7 behind a four-touchdown performance from Arch Manning. Now Ohio State heads to Austin for one of the biggest games of the young season. Saturday was about getting comfortable. Next Saturday is about finding out what this team actually is. And that's where Episode 35 of Off-Script Ohio gets really interesting. Jeremiah Smith looked every bit like a Heisman favoriteJulian Sayin looked comfortable in his first full gameThe defense picked up where it left offThe freshmen are already making their caseThe Ball State game was fun. Texas is the real test. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Aug 31

    Off-Script Ohio: Depth chart predictions, Week 0 reactions and the games we’re watching in Week 1

    The college football season is finally here, and with Ohio State’s opener against Ball State just around the corner, it is time to put some names next to the Buckeyes’ positions. Episode 33 of Off-Script Ohio starts with a full Ohio State depth chart discussion, from Julian Sayin and Bo Jackson to Jeremiah Smith, Ian Moore, Austin Siereveld and the new-look defensive line. The guys break down some of the more obvious starters while also debating some of the more interesting battles and potential surprises. Could Legend Bey carve out a bigger role at running back? How will Ohio State distribute its talented receiver room? And can the Buckeyes’ new defensive line pieces immediately replace some of the production lost from last season? The offensive line also gets plenty of attention, particularly with Ian Moore now appearing to have taken control of the left tackle job and Siereveld moving back inside to right guard. The projected lineup gives Ohio State five players who have either started or played meaningful snaps in the program, potentially giving the Buckeyes one of the deepest offensive lines in the country. From there, Cole and Joey turn their attention to Week 0. Bill Belichick and North Carolina opened the season with a 15-10 win over TCU in Dublin, while USC handled San Jose State 42-26 behind a strong performance from quarterback Jayden Maiava. Those games provided the first real glimpse at two teams Ohio State could be keeping an eye on throughout the season, particularly USC with the Buckeyes traveling to Los Angeles later this fall. Finally, the guys look ahead to the opening weekend slate. Ohio State’s matchup with Ball State should provide the first opportunity to see this year’s team in action, but there are plenty of other games worth watching, including Baylor-Auburn, Boise State-Oregon, Clemson-LSU, Wisconsin-Notre Dame and Ole Miss-Louisville. After months of predictions and offseason debates, the games are finally here, and Off-Script Ohio is back to get you ready for another Buckeye football season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Aug 24

    Off-Script Ohio: Captains, season predictions and the games that will define 2026

    Ohio State football is finally back, and after months of offseason storylines, roster debates and predictions, it is officially time to talk about the games. Episode 32 of Off-Script Ohio kicks off the 2026 season by breaking down Ohio State's seven captains. Brandon Inniss, Julian Sayin, Austin Siereveld, Jeremiah Smith, Kenyatta Jackson, Payton Pierce and Jaylen McClain. The guys also discuss Inniss earning the Block O jersey and what the new leadership group says about this year's team. A mix of veteran offensive stars, a defensive anchor replacing three first-round picks, and a receiver who's already the face of the program before he's even entered started his junior season. From there, Cole and Joey make their official season predictions, with both landing at 11-1. The biggest part of the episode is a game-by-game breakdown of the schedule. Ball State, Kent State, Illinois, Maryland and Northwestern feel like the safest wins, while Iowa and Nebraska present tougher road challenges. Then come the games that could define the season. Texas, Indiana, USC, Oregon and Michigan, five matchups the guys treat as legitimate toss-ups or, at best, likely wins that will still require the Buckeyes' best football to come out on top. Which game is the toughest? Which matchup is the most underrated threat? And which game are the guys most excited to watch? Cole and Joey dig into all three questions to close out the episode, setting the tone for a season that starts in earnest with the Texas trip in Week 2. After a long offseason, Off-Script Ohio is officially back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The home of FFSN's podcast feed for THE Ohio State University. A feed for the Buckeye fan, by the Buckeye fan.

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