On this week’s Off-Script Ohio, brought to you by Land-Grant Holy Land, Cole VanWiechen and Joey Gertz broke down Ohio State’s 34–0 demolition of Wisconsin, a wire-to-wire performance that showed why the Buckeyes are the most complete team in college football.
Julian Sayin was sensational, throwing for nearly 400 yards and multiple touchdowns as Ohio State “aired it out” early and never looked back. Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith headlined the receiving corps, Tate hauled in six catches for 111 yards and two scores, while Smith added nine for 97. Bo Jackson chipped in with 57 receiving yards out of the backfield, and the Buckeyes spread the wealth to Innis, Graham, and others. While the passing attack flourished, the run game remained inconsistent, and right tackle Tegra Tshabola could be in danger of losing his spot to Josh Padilla after another uneven showing.
Defensively, Ohio State continues to make a case as the nation’s best unit. The front seven overwhelmed Wisconsin from the jump, while Sonny Styles recorded his first career interception. Matt Patricia’s defense has been compared to Georgia’s 2021 group, and it’s hard to argue. Every level, from the defensive line up front to Reese and Styles to the secondary, has been lights-out. Wisconsin managed just 142 total yards and failed to cross midfield until late in the third quarter.
Around the country, chaos reigned. Georgia outlasted Ole Miss 43–35 in an offensive shootout, Alabama kept rolling with a 37–20 win over Tennessee, and Notre Dame surged back into playoff contention after running for 300 yards in a 34–24 win over USC. Meanwhile, Miami’s playoff hopes took a nosedive with a 24–21 loss to Louisville, and BYU’s unbeaten run continued after a gritty 24–21 win over Utah.
With a bye week ahead, the Buckeyes sit atop the Big Ten at 4–0, tied only with Indiana. Oregon, USC, and Michigan remain in the mix, while Illinois tries to stay alive after an early stumble. Both Cole and Joey expect Ohio State and Indiana to meet in Indianapolis, a matchup that could define the conference race.
Next up for the Buckeyes. Rest, reset, and a clearer view of the Big Ten landscape before a crucial November stretch. For now, Ohio State looks every bit like a championship team, balanced, dominant, and hungry for more.
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