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Ohio State’s Offensive Reload: Chasing Back-to-Back Titles

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Dorrington Myers | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 8:00 AM ET

Last season, the Ohio State Buckeyes football team completed the mission—winning the National Championship. They celebrated a historic feat as the confetti fell, and the Buckeye faithful witnessed a season they’ll never forget. But in today’s world of college football, yesterday’s glory doesn’t win tomorrow’s games. The beauty of the sport is that every season is a new chance to chase greatness and the College Football Playoff.

Now the question on everyone’s mind: Can the Ohio State offense lead this team to back-to-back national titles? In this breakdown, we focus solely on the offensive side of the ball. Let’s talk ball.

The Commander

Losing Will Howard to the NFL left a gap in the quarterback room. Fans immediately began wondering who would lead the Buckeyes’ offense. The early consensus is that Julian Sayin, a highly-touted Ohio State quarterback, will take the reins.

Ohio State has a good problem at QB—depth and talent. For Sayin to thrive and keep the Ohio State offense among national championship contenders, he’ll need to excel in three key areas:

Timing: Match footwork with footwork. The QB’s steps must align with the receivers’ routes. Get them the ball early and often in the Ohio State passing game.
Precision: Execute consistently and keep the Brian Hartline offense running at a high clip.
Decision-making: The most important skill. Protect the football and have a plan when chaos hits.

What Sayin Brings to the Offense

Accuracy: Deadly when balanced and planted. Route type doesn’t matter.
Midrange maestro: Exceptional at manipulating throwing windows and completing passes, whether in-breaking or out-breaking.
Progressions: Quick through his reads, a skill becoming rare in today’s Big Ten Championship race.

Your friendly reminder that Julian Sayin is going to be perfectly fine

Just get the ball to #4 pic.twitter.com/KyDqaGewpH
— Ohio Divided (@BuckeyeNatty) July 28, 2025

The Core Weapons

There’s no doubt the Ohio State offense 2025 could finish as the nation’s No. 1 passing attack. But can they keep it rolling with a new QB? With this elite receiving corps, the answer leans yes.

Jeremiah Smith (WR) – 2024: 76 receptions, 1,315 yards, 15 TDs (17.3 avg). The best WR in college football—no weaknesses.
Carnell Tate (WR) – 2024: 52 receptions, 733 yards, 4 TDs (14.1 avg). Elite route runner with pace. WR1 on nearly any other roster.
Brandon Innis (WR) – 2024: 14 receptions, 176 yards, 1 TD (12.6 avg). Explosive slot with cat-like quickness. Dangerous punt returner.
Max Klare (TE) – 2024 at Purdue: 51 receptions, 685 yards, 4 TDs (13.4 avg). Versatile TE who can also line up at Z. A big-time mismatch in the Buckeyes football scheme.

Offensive Line

Every championship offense starts up front. The Buckeyes return four starters, anchored by center Carson Hinzman, along with Luke Montgomery, Austin Siereveld and Tegra Tshabola.

If this group controls the line of scrimmage, the Ohio State offense will thrive. It won’t be a cakewalk in the Big Ten, but the foundation is strong.

The Scheme

Hartline takes over play-calling duties, likely keeping much of last year’s structure but adding new wrinkles—possibly more 22 personnel looks with multiple tight ends.

The Buckeyes adapted last year when the run game stalled, shifting to a gap-blocking scheme that opened lanes and created favorable numbers in the box. Expect more of the same: tempo, RPOs, quick screens and a vertical passing game designed to strike quickly, score fast, and dominate in the CFP picture.

Back-to-Back Champs?

Football is simple: Do what you do well, and keep doing it. The Ohio State offense is built to score more than its opponents. The Buckeyes will go as far as Sayin takes them—and that might be all the way to another national championship.

Can they repeat? Absolutely.

Will they repeat? I believe so. This team is united under one mission—win it all again. And when all 11 play as one, football’s ultimate prize is within reach.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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