For the first time since the Buckeyes’ most recent loss on the gridiron, Ohio State gets to suit up against a team not ranked in the top 10. After a run of (7) Tennessee, (1) Oregon, (4) Texas, (3) Notre Dame, and (1) Texas in the last five games, the Buckeyes get a break and get to face 1-0 FCS Grambling State. So, for anyone watching the scoreboard and scoffing at the Ohio State vs. Grambling matchup, that’s what the Buckeyes have had to deal with.
Regardless, Grambling State is not going to lie down and let the Buckeyes figure out the few concerning areas of the game plan from a week ago. The Tigers are looking to be the first current FCS program to beat the Buckeyes since Cornell did so in 1940. These two teams have never faced off before, and Ohio State has only played one HBCU in its history. In that game, the Buckeyes overwhelmed Florida A&M, 76-0.
While anything can happen, Ohio State fans have September 1, 2007, engraved into their heads; for example, it’ll be an uphill battle for Grambling. Ohio State will use this one to iron out the kinks and get playing time for the future stars.
Ohio State Finally Gets a Break on the Schedule vs. Grambling State
Open it Up
The biggest criticism fans had for Ohio State’s offense against Texas was the fact that the overwhelming amount of Julian Sayin‘s pass attempts were short-range. 17 of his 20 passes were shorter than 10 yards downfield, including five behind the line of scrimmage. Brian Hartline’s offense uncorked a pass of at least 20 yards once. Carnell Tate hauled in a pass for an acrobatic 40-yard touchdown for the game’s longest play from scrimmage.
While his stat line wasn’t groundbreaking, it wasn’t bad. Of his seven incompletions, three were drops, and two could have been flagged for defensive pass interference.
Much had been made about Sayin’s accuracy and ability to fit the ball wherever necessary. Throwing downfield is ideally part of that plan. Against the Tigers, Sayin should have an opportunity to let it fly.
Grambling has a solid (for the FCS) corner in Blake Davis, but he and the Tigers’ secondary have not faced a receiver corps on par with the Buckeyes’. Last year, Grambling allowed nearly 231 yards per game through the air. Needless to say, the Buckeyes will look to surpass that total.
Figure Out the Ground Game
Overall, the Ohio State offense was held to 203 yards against the Longhorns. That total marks the lowest offensive output since that dreadful Cotton Bowl performance after the 2023 season (also 203 yards), which was, in turn, the worst since the infamous loss to Michigan State in 2015.
Naturally, the run game was just as disappointing. The Buckeyes only managed 77 yards on 34 rushes. CJ Donaldson found the end zone on a one-yard touchdown, but other than that, there was very little to write home about. Even then, Texas only managed one tackle for loss in the game. The run game was frustrating. However, that was the point. Both Texas and Ohio State sold out to stop the run and force Sayin/Arch Manning to beat them over the top. It was Sayin’s first start, so the strategy made sense, and it worked.
Against Grambling, it is logical to think the Buckeyes will be able to overpower the Tigers in the trenches. So, ideally, Donaldson and James Peoples will have opportunities to shine.
With the game in hand, Bo Jackson and Sam Williams-Dixon will likely get the second half to show that they’re made of.
Pitch the Shutout
The biggest takeaway from the win over Texas was how dominant the Buckeye defense was. Matt Patricia was in his bag, as the kids say. His defense was praised for disguising coverages, and it effectively made Manning look like a walk-on. All in all, the defense was about as good as it could have been against the top-ranked team in the country.
Against Grambling, there really is no excuse. The Tigers beat Langston (NAIA) 55-7 last week. But, considering the FCS-to-NAIA gap is like the FBS-to-FCS gap, it’s not as impressive. Last year, Grambling faced one FBS team: 10-4 Louisiana. The Ragin’ Cajuns were one of the better Group of 5 teams. But needless to say, Ohio State should be expected to do better than the 40-10 beating UL-L handed the Tigers.
Ohio State hasn’t pitched a shutout since it demolished Cincinnati in 2019. There have been a few close calls, but there have been no other clean sheets since. Considering how good the Ohio State defense was in the regular season in the Jim Knowles era, Patricia could one-up his predecessor with a dominant performance against an overmatched foe.
Ohio State vs. Grambling is about as stark of a mismatch as you’ll find on paper. On the field, it should be even worse. Finally, a game the Buckeye faithful and Lunatic Fringe™ can watch without a worry.
Main Image: Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
