On Episode 6 of Off-Script Ohio, brought to you by Land-Grant Holy Land, Cole VanWiechen and Joey Gertz broke down a chaotic Saturday across college football and set the stage for Ohio State’s looming road trip to Washington.
It was a bye week in Columbus, but the Big Ten produced plenty of drama. Michigan survived a scare from Nebraska, winning 30–27 behind Dylan Raiola’s 308 yards and three touchdowns. Justice Haynes continued his climb toward the Heisman conversation, while Bryce Underwood managed the game well enough to get the job done. At this point, Michigan looks like it will enter The Game with a 9–2 or 10–1 record, a heavyweight clash waiting to happen.
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Elsewhere, Indiana blew the doors off Illinois 63–10 in what may have been the biggest statement of the weekend. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza was nearly flawless, vaulting himself into the Heisman race and making the Hoosiers a legitimate Big Ten contender. For Ohio State, the win makes a future matchup with Indiana look significantly tougher, while Illinois now appears far less intimidating.
Outside the conference, the scoreboard sent ripple effects through the national picture. Oklahoma edged Auburn 24–17 to position itself as a frontrunner in the SEC, while Syracuse handed Clemson its third loss of the season in a 34–21 upset that may have ended the Tigers’ playoff hopes. Texas Tech looked like a Big 12 contender in a 34–10 dismantling of Utah, and Washington kept rolling with a 59–24 Apple Cup win over Washington State.
That Washington victory only adds weight to what awaits the Buckeyes this coming weekend. The Huskies are 3–0 and boast the nation’s second-longest home winning streak at 21 games. They haven’t lost in Seattle since 2021, and they’ve put together an offense that currently ranks 10th in total yards per game at 536. Demond Williams has been sensational at quarterback, completing 74 percent of his passes for 778 yards and six touchdowns without a pick, while also rushing for 220 yards and two scores. Against Washington State, he accounted for nearly 400 total yards and five touchdowns.
Running back Jonah Coleman has been just as explosive, scoring nine touchdowns in three games while averaging nearly seven yards per carry. He’s also been heavily involved as a receiver, posting 150 yards through the air, including a 100-yard receiving performance against Washington State. Denzel Boston leads the wideouts with 16 catches and three touchdowns, more than doubling the production of anyone else in the receiver room.
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Defensively, Washington has been steady if unspectacular, ranking 25th in total defense and ninth against the run. Their competition hasn’t been elite, but the unit has held opponents to just 62 rushing yards per game. Still, Colorado State and UC Davis are not Ohio State, and the Huskies will face their first real test when the Buckeyes come to town.
For Ohio State, the spotlight shifts to key matchups. The defensive line led by Kayden McDonald, Tywone Malone, and sophomore Eddrick Houston will need to limit Washington’s rushing attack and force Williams into obvious passing downs. At linebacker, Arvelle Reese looks poised for a spy role to contain Williams’ scrambling ability, while Sonny Styles will have to be sharp in coverage and run fits alike. On the other side, sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin will be tasked with handling the noise and pressure of a hostile road environment. Through three games, Sayin has thrown for 779 yards and eight touchdowns with a 79 percent completion rate, a start that has already drawn comparisons to C.J. Stroud and Justin Fields.
The bye week also raised a few pressing questions about Ohio State’s roster. The running back rotation remains unsettled, as Bo Jackson’s explosiveness has made him the clear lead option but the staff continues to experiment with touches. On the offensive line, the battle at right guard could have major implications in Seattle, where crowd noise and protection breakdowns will be magnified. And on defense, the health of Lorenzo Styles Jr. lingers over the cornerback room. If Styles is out, the Buckeyes may need to shuffle Jermaine Mathews Jr. inside and rely on true freshman Devin Sanchez outside in one of the season’s toughest environments.
With Washington looming, those answers will matter. The Huskies’ balanced offense and unbeaten home streak present a measuring stick for a young Buckeye team still finding its identity. By next weekend, we’ll know much more about just how far this group can go.
Theme music provided by Audiio.
