With just three games left in the regular season, the Ohio State football team is the undisputed top-ranked team in the country. They haven't lost since they fell to TTUN last season in late November. Since then, they have gone on a rampage against their opponents.
Despite the Buckeyes being undefeated, they aren't without their flaws. They have had some issues scoring touchdowns in the red zone. While that hasn't killed them up to this point, it will against a great opponent in the College Football Playoff and Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game. They are just 37th in red zone offense.
Part of the reason they haven't been able to score touchdowns as much in the red zone has been inconsistency on the offensive line. Tegra Tshabola has been the weakest link on the offensive line all year, and that flared up again against a bad Purdue team.
The Ohio State football team must replace Tegra Tshabola in the starting lineup
This play pretty much sums up what Tshabola has been doing so far this season for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Ryan Day and Tyler Bowen’s reaction tells you all you need to know.
— Josh Poloha (@JorshP) November 10, 2025
From possibly scoring a touchdown to getting blown up in the backfield because of a missed block on a screen. pic.twitter.com/CvXDpMEyyg
Because the Buckeyes were already down two offensive linemen, Tshbola had to play against the Boilermakers. Ethan Onianwa was apparently the biggest waste of money possible, so Tshabola still had to play with Joshua Padilla and Phillip Daniels ruled out.
Tshbola had issues as a starting offensive lineman last season, too. The fact that Onianwa is a complete bust is the only reason why Tshabola is still out there. Once Padilla is fully healthy, there's a good chance that a switch is made to shore up the right side of the offensive line.
The Buckeyes are certainly good enough to win it all in spite of Tshabola's shortcomings, as they did last year. Tshabola has been bad, but he hasn't been awful. He's the weakest link on an otherwise really good offensive line. Still, there are better options available to Ryan Day on the roster.
Picking those other options would be in Day's best interest, especially before the end of the season gets near. Padilla has been getting reps with the first team in practice and in a few games, but it would be better if he were comfortable before The Game.