Overview
- Ohio State enters Saturday night at 9-0 (6-0 Big Ten) hosting 3-6 UCLA in Columbus, with sportsbooks listing the Buckeyes by roughly 31 to 32.5 points.
- Ryan Day downplayed past results, saying recent wins 'mean absolutely nothing' and insisting the team concentrate on the next snap.
- Quarterback Julian Sayin leads the FBS in completion rate (80.9%) and passer rating (192.6), while receiver Jeremiah Smith ranks among national leaders with 65 catches, 862 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns.
- Carnell Tate’s availability remains uncertain after missing the Purdue game, and right guard is expected to rotate among Josh Padilla, Tegra Tshabola and Ethan Onianwa.
- UCLA arrives under interim coach Tim Skipper (3-3 after DeShaun Foster’s firing), owns a vulnerable defense spotlighted by a 56-6 loss at Indiana, and starts Nico Iamaleava, who returns to Ohio Stadium with a proven rushing threat.