Ohio State's loss at Texas on Saturday night revealed a lot of things about the 2026 version of the Buckeyes. Most of the things that caused them to lose that game will not reappear until the next time they play a close game. If they play another close game the rest of this month, there will be bigger problems, but there is one thing that they can start to fix this Saturday against Kent State that can pay off in December and January.
The core of Ohio State's offense - Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, and the interior of the offensive line - is a core that can take them all the way. The supporting cast was not good enough on Saturday night. One thing that the offense lacks outside of Jeremiah Smith is explosiveness.
Bo Jackson is a good running back, but he isn't the most explosive. Legend Bey is the player you see when you look up explosive in the dictionary. As a 5'10", 195 lb freshman, Bey isn't built to be an every-down back at this stage of his career, but he adds an entirely different element to the offense that they currently don't have.
Ja'Kobi Jackson has 13 carries in the first two games and has fine production, but I don't think his 7.9 yards per carry is sustainable. He will still see the field because he is their most experienced pass blocker, but he is redundant with Bo Jackson as a running back. I'd like to see Legend Bey incorporated more in that role.
Ohio State wide receivers outside of Jeremiah Smith had 2 catches for 24 yards on 5 targets. Freshmen Brock Boyd and Chris Henry Jr. had a combined zero targets. Boyd played 12 out of 65 snaps while Henry played 9. The problem with getting those guys reps is that there isn't a clear path.
Devin McCuin has been talked up by the coaching staff as one of the best guys they've had. Brandon Inniss plays his role well and is a leader on the team. However, there are some other creative ways to get those guys on the field.
Ohio State is simply playing too many tight ends. They spend too much time during the game in 12 and 13 personnel. I am not opposed to that as a concept, but Ohio State is putting its NIL resources into receivers, not tight ends. I want to see those guys play.
Those formations are primarily used for short yardage and the red zone, which Ohio State isn't good at. I want to see them living in 10 and 11. Get the young guys on the field. Chris Henry Jr. is a lot more likely to make a big play to swing the Michigan game or a playoff game than Mason Williams is.
Over to the defense now, where we've seen a lot of rotating and the young players getting lots of reps. Jay Timmons and Devin Sanchez are both starters and have performed well so far to start the season. I would like to see even more rotation outside of the secondary.
Beau Atkinson has been a complete bust as a transfer from North Carolina. I don't want to completely close the door on him ever contributing to this team, but it should be purely situational for him. Zion Grady's health is a question mark right now, and he will not play against Kent State this Saturday, but he should be the starter opposite Kenyatta Jackson.
Khary Wilder only played five snaps against Texas, but they were five loud snaps. He was in the backfield multiple times, disrupting Arch Manning, when he was largely untouched in the second half. Epi Sitaneli is a guy who should also be getting snaps over Atkinson. Qua Russaw should probably see fewer snaps too, and be more of a guy who only plays in pass-rush situations.
Linebacker was another glaring example of needing change. Riley Pettijohn was all over the field when he played. Payton Pierce looked significantly slower. Pierce can still have a role without being a track star, but the problem on Saturday night was that he wasn't finishing tackles. The simple truth is that Payton Pierce can't play if he can't tackle.
I think that was probably just a bad game, but it's something to monitor. Christian Alliegro is trying to play in the Arvell Reese role, which is something that isn't really fair to ask of him. I'd like to see T.J. Alford rotate in that role against Kent State and see if they have anything there.
Ohio State's veterans give them a very high floor. They are going to win at least nine games this season with a tough schedule and are good enough to beat anyone in a one-game sample. The first- and second-year players, who were all highly touted recruits, can raise the ceiling of this team and make them a true national championship favorite and a dominant team in the college football playoff.
Jeremiah Smith will not be here next year, so Ohio State needs to make some tough decisions to maximize this season. Maybe the young guys were going to take playing time gradually as the season goes on, but losing in Austin should increase the sense of urgency.
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