2026 tOSU Offense Discussion

[Tanner]

I think we've all seen Sayin can struggle sometimes under pressure, which isn't the end of the world, he's not the only QB that's true for. Plus he's small and can't run so that exacerbates it. I just think our offense could do more scheme-wise to help him succeed against pressure.

 

[buckeyebri]

I think we've all seen Sayin can struggle sometimes under pressure, which isn't the end of the world, he's not the only QB that's true for. Plus he's small and can't run so that exacerbates it. I just think our offense could do more scheme-wise to help him succeed against pressure.

With all the TEs and Smiths supposed affinity for them, I’m surprised we don’t incorporate them more. Five yard crossers? TE pop pass. RB delays.

 

[lvbuckeye]

Can someone please explain this offense's philosophy to me? What is their base play? What is their base formation? How did Ryan Day go from "spread to run" and JK Dobbins running for 2,000 freaking yards, to packing the box with 9 or 10 defenders via 3 tight ends that apparently aren't threats in the passing game OR the running game?

Are the Buckeyes ever going to have 5 OL that can just blow the DL off the line ever again?

We had a OL last year who never even played a snap the last 6 games, and not only did Ethan Onianwa get drafted, he made the Falcons' 53 man roster. Wtf are we even doing?

So far, no one has even attempted to answer my questions.

 

[osuvictory1]

The one part of the 2026 offense that discourages me at this point is the continued reliance on tight ends in the red zone. First of all they aren't very good blockers, but most importantly it limits the creativity.

Why is this still a thing?

Edited to add: a couple are promising for maybe next year, but not there yet. So I don't want to totally bash them, but it is what it is.

 

[1926Buckeyes]

So far, no one has even attempted to answer my questions.

I’ll do it for $20.

 

[scarletngray]

Let's remember that this is the third OC that we have had in the past 3 years. A little patience would be nice.

 

[Bestbuck36]

Let's remember that this is the third OC that we have had in the past 3 years. A little patience would be nice.

Who's got time for that?

 

[Tanner]

All the short yardage discussion makes me miss Zeke---the rare back who could bang it up the middle and fall forward on 3rd and 3 and also break one for 80. The reason he's my all time #1tOSU RB

 

[scarletngray]

Who's got time for that?

Reminds me of a prayer: "Lord, I want patience. And I want it now."

 

[SEREbuckeye]

RB room needs to get back to legendary status. Thought Coach Lock would be the answer.

 

[Jaxbuck]

RB Tim needs to get back to legendary status. Thought Coach Lock would be the answer.

Woody, please don’t let this be a sign that Day is about to have a manball or die trying game on us

 

[BuckeyesGunn]

I stated that our offense has regressed. Some who don't know Buckeyes football challenged me on that, mocked &c.

Last year Buckeyes were 2nd place on 3rd downs. Guess where they are this season? Last place in the B1G.

Redzone is not great either. The only reason I ciriticize is because I don't see this leading toward a championship.

Anyone laughing at the fact we have regressed doesn't know what they're talking about.

 

[Bestbuck36]

RB Tim needs to get back to legendary status. Thought Coach Lock would be the answer.

I said the same as Day during the game. Jakobi runs angry and Bo seems to be "searching" at times. Hit hard and go down fighting fur every yard. Need a Hyde kinda back to emerge

 

[scarletngray]

I've been pleasantly surprised with Jacobi. He has great patience but wastes little time when he sees a hole. He also breaks tackles.

 

[ScriptOhio]

All the short yardage discussion makes me miss Zeke---the rare back who could bang it up the middle and fall forward on 3rd and 3 and also break one for 80. The reason he's my all time #1tOSU RB

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2026/09/164085/ohio-state-has-been-unable-to-consistently-move-the-ball-on-third-and-fourth-and-short-situations-this-season

Ohio State Has Been Unable to Consistently Move the Ball on Third- and Fourth-and-Short Situations This Season​

A lot goes into a successful offense, but one of the key components of that is success in short-yardage situations on third and fourth down.

Ohio State's offense seems to still be trying to find its identity as a group, especially the running game. Jeremiah Smith is, obviously, the go-to player in the passing attack, but the Bo Jackson-led ground game has shown glimpses of very good play while still trying to find its identity three games into the season.

A lot goes into a successful rushing attack, including the runner's vision, explosiveness, and ability to find (and get to) holes in the defense, along with the offensive line's ability to block correctly. Ohio State running backs and offensive line have shown some promise in those areas, but also had some lackluster plays in those situations as well.

One of the key areas Ohio State has struggled in a quarter of the way through the regular season is third- and fourth-and-short situations. The Buckeyes have run a successful play on five of their 11 third and fourth downs within three yards of the line to gain so far this season: 1-for-1 vs. Ball State, 1-for-2 at Texas, 1-for-6 vs. Kent State.

Ohio State's Short-Yardage Situations On Third or Fourth Down This Season

OPPONENT	DOWN AND YARDS TO GO	PLAY	FIRST DOWN OR TOUCHDOWN?
VS. BALL STATE	4TH-AND-GOAL (3-YARD LINE)	JULIAN SAYIN 3-YARD TOUCHDOWN RUN	YES
3RD-AND-2	ISAIAH WEST 4-YARD RUN	YES
4TH-AND-1	ISAIAH WEST 10-YARD RUN	YES
AT TEXAS	3RD-AND-3	BO JACKSON 6-YARD RUN	YES
4TH-AND-2	JA'KOBI JACKSON 1-YARD RUN	NO
VS. KENT STATE	3RD-AND-GOAL (3-YARD LINE)	BO JACKSON 2-YARD RUN	NO
3RD-AND-1	ISAIAH WEST -1-YARD RUN	NO
4TH-AND-2	JULIAN SAYIN INCOMPLETION	NO
3RD-AND-GOAL (2-YARD LINE)	JA'KOBI JACKSON 1-YARD RUN	NO
4TH-AND-GOAL (1-YARD LINE)	JA'KOBI JACKSON 1-YARD TOUCHDOWN RUN	YES
3RD-AND-3	ISAIAH WEST -2-YARD RUN	NO

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