Tensions were running high and they still are after Ohio State totally blew it in Austin against the Longhorns. Since then, though, it looks like plenty of Buckeyes fans have been quick to put quarterback Julian Sayin on blast for the collapse, as Texas did the unthinkable in the 24-23 UT victory, with OSU now ranked No. 6 in the country. To blame the defeat on Sayin, though, is a joke.
The main beef people have with Sayin comes from a missed throw to Devin McCuin in the second half. With Ohio State up 20-3 at the time, McCuin ran up the seam and had a wide open touchdown ready to be scored if Sayin put the ball on the money. Unfortunately, Sayin's toss sailed on him and the Buckeyes had to settle for three points instead.
Yes, he made a mistake, and it is going to haunt him for a little while. However, that one single play did not cost the Buckeyes a win. Bring up the defense letting Arch Manning and Co. cruise to easy scoring drives in the fourth quarter. Why didn't Ryan Day keep his foot on the gas or let the Longhorns score from the one to give Sayin and Co. time to try and pull off a last-second win? That should be discussed first over throwing Sayin under the bus.
Julian Sayin was 100 percent not to blame for Ohio State's brutal road loss to Texas
Sure, had Sayin delivered with a toss he usually does in his sleep to McCuin, the scoreboard would have read 27-3, and it likely would have been lights out for Steve Sarkisian. You never want to play the what-if game, but maybe if a TD is posted there, Ohio State would still be the No. 1 team in the country.
Still, one missed throw, with his team up by three scores at the time, doesn't put this on the quarterback. This was a total team effort and total team loss. Jeremiah Smith was out of this world with his eight receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown, but he also wasn't perfect - some drops were back-breaking in the defeat. Are we going to blame Smith for the loss too? Heck no, and fans ripping Sayin are out of line.
Julian Sayin was the issue last year, and is this year. For numerous reasons…
— Ohio State Groyper (@ISRAELS_GIMP) September 13, 2026
Mainly, he doesn’t have the arm, the processing/decision making, and refuses to use his legs.
He hasn’t been, and will never be THE guy.
julian sayin is not a good quarterback.
— aaron (@theragebaitking) September 14, 2026
Lincoln Kienholz is way better than Julian Sayin. OSU messed up badly.
— Jimmy Dangles (@jimmdangler) September 14, 2026
Julian Sayin better get whole lot better. He is holding the offense back big time . He legit only throws the ball to one dude when there’s dudes open everywhere
— Coach Fred Emmerson (@CoachEmmerson) September 14, 2026
Julian Sayin is mid AF! He lives off Jeremiah Smith the same way Kyle McCord lived off Marvin Harrison Jr
— Wyte (@billkelley_24) September 14, 2026
"Yeah, we just didn't execute the way we can and the way we need to in the fourth quarter there," Sayin said after the loss. "It starts with me and our offense as a whole we have to be better in that situation."
On the night, Sayin finished with 278 yards, one touchdown and one interception - his INT came on the desperation heave at the end of the game. He wasn't at his best, no one will disagree with that. At the same time, Sayin put his team in a position to win, and Ohio State simply couldn't close things out.
This will be a wake-up call for everyone in the locker room and serve as major motivation. Sayin will bounce back from this too, and when he does in the College Football Playoff this winter, the praise and love better be louder than the disrespect he's currently getting.
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