Overview
- Top-ranked Ohio State (9-0, 6-0) welcomes UCLA (3-6, 3-3) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Ohio Stadium, airing on NBC and Peacock.
- BetMGM lists the Buckeyes as roughly 31.5-point favorites after six Big Ten wins by an average of 26.2 points.
- Ryan Day urged focus despite the hype, as the right guard spot remains a rotation with Josh Padilla returning from injury and right tackle Phillip Daniels still uncertain after missing Purdue.
- UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava returns to Columbus with a run threat that has produced 52.7 rushing yards per game, a profile Ohio State views as a test of rush-lane discipline.
- The Bruins’ defense ranks near the bottom nationally in sacks and run defense and was routed 56-6 by Indiana, while OSU’s Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith continue to post Heisman-level numbers.