Ohio State showed it could win ugly against No. 1 Texas. Now comes a different kind of challenge: keeping the edge in a game the Buckeyes are expected to dominate from the opening kick. Here are our bold predictions for Saturday’s matchup against Grambling State:

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1. The run game tops 200 yards.
Against Texas, the Buckeyes were held to just 77 yards on the ground. That won’t cut it in the long run. Expect Ryan Day and Brian Hartline to make the run game a priority this week, with CJ Donaldson Jr. and James Peoples leading the charge. With a chance to work in multiple backs, Ohio State should comfortably clear 200 yards rushing and re-establish physicality up front.

2. Julian Sayin throws three touchdowns.
The freshman QB’s debut was steady and controlled: 13-of-20, 126 yards, 1 TD. Now the training wheels come off. Against Grambling, expect Sayin to get more chances to push the ball downfield. Between Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, and Max Klare, the talent is there for Sayin to spread it around and notch his first multi-TD performance.

3. Jeremiah Smith goes for 100+ yards.
Smith was reliable against Texas but didn’t have the breakout stat line fans are used to seeing from a Buckeye WR1. That changes Saturday. With Sayin more comfortable and Grambling’s secondary overmatched, Smith should find space early and often, putting up his first 100-yard game of the season.

4. The defense scores.
Ohio State’s defense has already shown it can win games on its own, with red-zone stops and takeaways sealing the Texas win. Against Grambling, the expectation is turnovers—and this time, one goes back for six. Whether it’s a Jermaine Mathews Jr. pick, a Caleb Downs strip-and-score, or a scoop on the defensive line, don’t be surprised if the silver bullets add points to the board.

5. Freshmen make their mark.
This is the type of game where depth shows. Look for younger Buckeyes like Mylan Graham at receiver, Devin Sanchez at corner, and Jelani Thurman at tight end to see extended snaps. By the fourth quarter, the freshmen could be putting highlights on tape.

What are your bold predictions?

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