Upvote
0
-
New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
Game Thread Illinois at tOSU, Sat. Sept. 26, 12pm ET, FOX
- By ScriptOhio
- 2026 Football Season Capsule
- 923 Replies
Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin and TJ Alford Are Pro Football Focus' Highest-Graded Ohio State Players Against Illinois
The Top Three
1. WR Jeremiah Smith (93.7)
When you catch 12 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns, it's usually regarded as a pretty good performance. PFF agreed and Smith earned the best offensive grade (93.7), receiving grade (92.5) and drop grade (82.2) of any receiver in the nation for Week 4.This is the second time this season Smith has been PFF's top-rated Buckeye. It's also the third straight week PFF has ranked Ohio State's star receiver as a top-three player on the team.
For the season, Smith has PFF’s highest grades in the nation in offense (94.2) and receiving (93.7).
Is this good?
2. QB Julian Sayin (92.9)
Sayin completed 75% of his passes for 367 yards and four touchdowns against Illinois. This is the fourth time in his career Sayin has thrown for 300-plus yards and four touchdowns in a game, making him the first Ohio State quarterback to do so. J.T. Barrett and Justin Fields hit these marks three times each.Sayin's offensive grade of 92.9 and his passing grade of 92.2 were both best in the Big Ten for Week 4.
3. LB TJ Alford (86.2)
For the second time this season and the first time since Week 1, Alford is a top-three player for Ohio State in terms of PFF grades. His overall grade (86.2) and coverage grade (81.4) were the third-best among Big Ten linebackers by PFF for the week.For the season, Alford is the Big Ten's highest-rated linebacker in overall defense and coverage with a grade of 91.4 in both categories.
Position Bests (10+ Snaps)
| QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DE | DT | LB | CB | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julian Sayin | Ja'Kobi Jackson | Jeremiah Smith | Nate Roberts | Austin Siereveld | Beau Atkinson | Eddrick Houston | TJ Alford | Jermaine Mathews Jr. | Jaylen McClain |
| 92.9 | 71.9 | 93.7 | 79.0 | 69.6 | 73.9 | 75.9 | 86.2 | 71.3 | 76.7 |
.
continued
.
.
Extra Points
- For the second straight week, Payton Pierce was graded (62.5) as Ohio State's lowest-rated linebacker. However, it is an improvement of 8.4 points from his performance against Kent State in Week 3.
- Ja'Kobi Jackson's season running grade of 87.7 is best on the team.
- Mason Williams (49.1) was Ohio State's lowest-rated player overall, while Devin Sanchez (55.0) had the lowest defensive grade. Sanchez's overall game was graded poorly, but he earned an 82.7 tackling grade against Illinois, the highest among all cornerbacks in the B1G.
- Like Sanchez, Jaylen McClain earned high marks in tackling against the Illini. McClain's 87.0 tackling grade was the best among safeties in the conference.
Upvote
0
HC Ryan Day (B1G Coach of Year, B1G Champion, National Champion)
- By ScriptOhio
- Buckeye Football
- 7542 Replies
Performance Review: Ross Bjork Says Ryan Day’s Leadership Transcends Ohio State, Buckeyes Had “Best Team All Season” in 2025 Despite Postseason Losses
Ross Bjork was highly complimentary of Ryan Day in his annual performance review this summer.
In his review of Day for the 2025-26 academic year, which Eleven Warriors obtained through a public records request on Monday, Ohio State’s athletic director gave the Buckeyes’ football coach a grade of “Exceeds Expectations” and praised Day’s leadership and the culture he has built.
“Coach Day's leadership continues to transcend Ohio State and the game of college football on all levels,” Bjork wrote in his review, dated June 18. “He has developed and evolved into one of the leading voices of the sport and has kept Ohio State football at the forefront while also navigating the rapid changes impacting college sports. The culture of our program is as strong as it has ever been, and that is a testament to his leadership and focus on every detail within the program. The coaching staff he has assembled and the program structure in place allows him to truly be the "CEO of Ohio State University Football," and this organizational set-up is critical to our success moving forward.”
Bjork highlighted Ohio State’s performance both on and off the field over the past year. While Ohio State’s 2025 season ended with postseason losses to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game and Miami in the College Football Playoff, Bjork felt Ohio State “had the best team all season long.”
“Coach Day's focus on recruiting the right young men to the program who are stellar students, great people, and elite players are evident in the record-setting team GPA, third straight year of a 1,000 APR score, and the social behavior of our team,” Bjork said. “Our team continues to set the tone on the field as well by going 12-0 in the 2025 regular season and winning the rivalry game. Coach Day continues to operate the most consistent program in the country over the last 25 years at the highest level, and although we fell short of a championship in 2025, we had the best team all season long and unfortunately did not finish the way we expected.”
.
.
.
continued
Upvote
0
Pac-8 (official thread, formerly PAC-12)
- By ScriptOhio
- College Football
- 259 Replies
Just sayin': They should change their name to the "STATE - 8" Conference.
 22Boise State Broncos |
 Fresno State Bulldogs |
 Colorado State Rams |
 Oregon State Beavers |
 Texas State Bobcats |
 San Diego State Aztecs |
 Utah State Aggies |
 Washington State Cougars |
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
