Here at Buckeyes Wire, we’re committed to providing full coverage of Ohio State’s games every week. That means looking at the advantages the Buckeyes have in their matchups, and at the disadvantages. And we’re going to do it each and every week, no matter what the opponent.
So, the task has fallen to me to write about Ohio State’s disadvantages in its upcoming matchup against the Grambling State Tigers. I’m not going to pretend that there are any. Grambling State will not give Ohio State any problems. And I’m not going to pretend there are five real reasons. So, we’re going to have a little fun with this one. We’re going to give the five biggest problems Ohio State can have on Saturday. And most of them have very little to do with the opponents.
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1. Big Game Hangover
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) celebrates during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. Ohio State won 14-7.
The Buckeyes were more than impressive in their win over Texas. They won a defensive slugfest against one of the better teams in the country. Preparing for a game like that takes a lot out of players physically and emotionally. It makes all the sense in the world that the Buckeyes (or at least some players) might come out a bit flat and unfocused. Especially since it can be hard to take an opponent like Grambling too seriously. If the Buckeyes struggle at all, it will almost certainly be self-inflicted.
2. Injury Risks
Grambling State might make some good plays over the course of the game. But the biggest risk to Ohio State will be slips and fluke injuries. Even FCS teams are talented football players. Not as talented as Ohio State’s roster, but talented nonetheless. And every football game comes with risks. Grambling State won’t beat the Buckeyes, but a bad injury or two could cause real problems throughout the season.
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3. Grambling has a Decent Offense
Ohio State should dominate this game in the trenches. The talent disparity on the lines is just too wide. But Grambling’s offense was pretty unstoppable against a worse team (NAIA Langston). Quarterback C’zavian Teasett is accurate, and the running game is solid. It’s nothing Ohio State shouldn’t handle, but the Tigers could rack up some yards as the game goes on.
4. Grambling’s Success against FBS
Most FCS teams have never beaten an FBS team before. Even fewer have beaten a power conference team. Grambling is one of the few with such an upset under its belt. That’s right–in 1985 (before any player currently playing college football was born, and maybe even before some of their parents), Grambling State took out the Oregon State Beavers. What does that mean for this game? Absolutely nothing, of course. But it’s still fun to note.
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5. Trap Game?
The Buckeyes could get caught looking ahead to next week’s intra-state rivalry game against Ohio. Okay, they can’t–and not just because Ohio isn’t actually a rival of the Buckeyes. But I’ve got nothing else. Grambling won’t be causing the Buckeyes any problems. If any issues at all come from this game, they’ll be entirely self-inflicted.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State vs Grambling State: 5 reasons the Tigers could be a problem
