Ohio State didn't see vintage Chip Kelly during the Buckeyes' 28-19 win over Northwestern in Week 11. OSU saw enough to know that Kelly would be superior to Arthur Smith with the play sheet in Columbus, though.
Without starting quarterback Aidan Chiles, the Wildcats got 225 yards through the air from backup Nicco Marchiol. The Buckeyes' defensive front was able to get to Marchiol plenty in the backfield, but Northwestern's offense was able to convert on 6 of 15 third downs and one of its two fourth-down attempts.
You could say Kelly did less with more, especially with the last-second touchdown from Marchiol to tight end Luke Dehnicke that showed exceptional resilience. When has Smith all season been able to say that about his offense?
Granted, Arthur Smith has been masterfully scheming the ball to Jeremiah Smith. Still, would No. 4 make the game easier for any play-caller? Derrick Henry has proven that his talents thrive regardless of the play-caller.
Smith hasn't been able to make up for the lack of Julian Sayin, though, having produced 18 points against a USC defense that gives up over 24 points per game on average. The offense came alive too late during last week's loss to Oregon.
Smith hasn't been able to make up for a single player's loss. That alone feels disqualifying for being paid so handsomely in this role.
Especially if Kelly becomes available again.
Chip Kelly could chase a bigger role than Northwestern...why not OSU?
The question of whether Kelly could become available is a good one. The answer may be beneficial for Ohio State.
If you ask Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI's Jeremy Pernell, Big Red is an option because of Kelly's ego. Nebraska just fired Dana Holgorson, and the early returns don't point to Glenn Thomas sticking around unless he drastically turns the scoring around. A 31-point outing is a nice starting point, though the Huskers got that in Week 11 against Rutgers.
If Kelly's ego drives him to a bigger opportunity than Northwestern, why wouldn't he want to return to the Buckeye State? Kelly is clearly comfortable with being a play-caller and not yet being a head coach, so why not be the saving grace in Central Ohio?
There's never been a bigger desire to see Kelly back. Brian Hartline was never the prince who was promised beyond recruiting, and Arthur Smith's NFL play-calling isn't moving the needle without star NFL-quality talent.
Barring Kelly thinking he's been there and done that, a return to the Buckeyes makes too much sense. He worked well with Ryan Day, and the two produced the greatest result possible.
Hopefully, Kelly got to experience, on Saturday at the "Shoe," the kind of nostalgia that could bring him back to produce more greatness. Most Ohio State fans would agree that he'd be a step up from Smith. He helped them win a national championship back in 2024, so it's clear that he would fit in well in Columbus
Who says no?
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