Ohio State scored one of the biggest wins of the 2026 college football season with a 19-15 victory over Indiana on Saturday. But the win also came at a major cost, as quarterback Julian Sayin suffered a significant injury. After the game, coach Ryan Day indicated Sayin will be out several weeks.
True freshman Luke Fahey is expected to get the nod as Sayin’s replacement. He’s played in four games this year, completing nine of 13 throws for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Tavien St. Clair would move into the backup role while Sayin is out.
At 6-1, the No. 3 Buckeyes are still in good shape to make the Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoff. Day’s team has ranked wins over Iowa and Indiana now, with their only defeat coming at Texas – a matchup Ohio State controlled for the bulk of the game. Also, the selection committee is expected to account for any injuries in its evaluation of teams.
However, there’s little doubt Sayin’s injury could alter the Big Ten title race and the rest of the Buckeyes’ season.
An off week next Saturday will allow Ohio State time to regroup before a showdown against USC in Columbus on Oct. 31. Following that matchup, the Buckeyes host Oregon and Northwestern before a road trip to Nebraska. And of course, Ohio State closes out the year against rival Michigan.
In addition to having one of the Big Ten’s best defenses and Heisman Trophy favorite wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to ease Fahey’s transition into the No. 1 role, a manageable schedule will allow the Buckeyes to maintain their edge atop the conference.
Getting lineman Austin Siereveld healthy and back in the lineup would be a huge boost to a unit having an inconsistent ‘26 season. An improved run game would significantly help Fahey’s cause, as Day’s offense is averaging only 3.5 yards per carry against power conference opponents this year. Running backs Bo Jackson, Ja’Kobi Jackson, Isaiah West and Legend Bey form a talented group but more running lanes are needed.
But what if Fahey struggles and Ohio State is more vulnerable than we think?
Could Oregon get back in the Big Ten title race? The Ducks picked up a key win over Nebraska on Saturday night and could get quarterback Dante Moore back in the lineup in the near future. If Moore returns and Sayin is out for the Nov. 7 matchup in Columbus, Oregon suddenly has a much more favorable path to a victory.
How about USC? A win over the Buckeyes in Columbus would be a huge boost to coach Lincoln Riley’s tenure and could propel the Trojans to a playoff spot.
Also, despite Saturday’s loss, Indiana is still very much alive in the Big Ten title race. The Hoosiers have a favorable path the rest of the way and could end the regular season at 11-1.
UCLA passed its first test without quarterback Nico Iamaleava on Saturday night, beating Wisconsin in a 17-7 slugfest. The Bruins have a favorable slate ahead but still have to travel to Minnesota and Michigan before the finale against rival USC.
The goal for Ohio State should be to lean on the defense, jumpstart the run game and find creative ways to get Smith involved to survive these next few weeks.
Considering the favorable slate, Day’s team can navigate that stretch and still maintain its spot as the favorite to win the Big Ten. However, the margin for error is clearly smaller. Also, the ultimate x-factor is simply how bad is Sayin’s injury and what’s the expected timeline for a return?
And don’t forget, we’ve already seen Ohio State go on a deep playoff run as a lower-rated seed in ‘24. The playoff is a long way off, and the next few weeks could be bumpy for the Buckeyes as they navigate a first-time starter under center.
Sayin’s injury certainly opens the door for a wide-open race for the Big Ten title down the stretch. Will Northwestern, Oregon or USC capitalize in an upcoming matchup? And can the Hoosiers keep pace with their only defeat coming to Ohio State?
All signs suggest Sayin will return at some point in ‘26. However, the path to the Big Ten title and playoff for the Buckeyes and the rest of the conference suddenly looks more open.
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