After a bye week, the Buckeyes head across the country to face Washington.
Ohio State vs. Washington will kick off at 3:30 ET in Seattle on Saturday Sept. 27. Husky Stadium has a reputation for being one of the most challenging road environments to win in.
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Here are 5 things you need to know about Ohio State’s upcoming matchup:
1. Washington has won 21 straight home games
The Buckeyes’ first Big Ten and first road game of the year comes in a hostile environment. Washington has won 21 straight games at Husky Stadium — the second-longest active streak in the country.
With 70,000 fans behind them, the Huskies will present a major test for Julian Sayin and the Buckeyes.
2. Washington’s two-headed rushing attack
Through just three games, Washington running back Jonah Coleman has accumulated nine touchdowns, the most in FBS. Coleman is also averaging 6.8 yards per carry and well over 100 yards per game.
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Washington’s quarterback, Demond Williams Jr., has added another two rushing touchdowns and 220 yards himself. The combination of Coleman and William Jr. is one of the best running tandems in the Big Ten.
Ohio State’s front seven should have their hands full on Saturday. Look for Arvell Reese to be manning the “spy” role.
3. Ryan Day off of a bye week
Historically, when Ryan Day has extra time to prepare for a team, the Buckeyes have looked extremely sharp.
Ryan Day is 6-0 as Ohio State’s head coach when coming off of a bye in the regular season. The average margin of victory in those six games? 41 points.
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The extra preparation time has also shown to be an advantage for Day & Co. in the College Football Playoff as well. Obviously the 2024 CFP run is an example of that, but I would include 2021 game against Georgia and 2020 against Clemson as well.
If precedent holds, the Buckeyes should be ready to roll.
4. Matchup history
Ohio State holds a 9-3 all-time record over Washington. The most recent matchup being the 2019 Rose Bowl, where the Buckeyes won 28-23.
The last time Ohio State played at Husky Stadium was in 2007, and they came out with a 33-14 win. The two games prior to the 2007 edition, however, wound up being losses for Ohio State.
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This Saturday will mark the first matchup between Ohio State and Washington as Big Ten opponents.
5. Julian Sayin’s first road game
While Sayin wasn’t exactly eased into the starting role with his first game being against No. 1 ranked Texas, Saturday will be his first time leaving Columbus as the Buckeyes starter.
As a college football fan, you learn to never underestimate how difficult it is for young quarterbacks to play on the road. Hostile road environments are simply hard to prepare for.
With that said, I have full faith in Sayin. He has shown nothing but poise thus far.
Take care of the football, make good decisions, and Ohio State will win this game.
