Ohio State Prepares for UCLA Showdown Amid Injury Challenges
This Saturday, the undefeated No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes will face off against the UCLA Bruins in what might look on paper like a routine victory for the Buckeyes, but the story behind the matchup tells a bit more than that. Ohio State, boasting a perfect 9-0 record, is set to host UCLA, which has struggled this season with a 3-6 record. The game kicks off at 7:30 PM Eastern at Ohio Stadium in Columbus and will be broadcast live on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock.
Ohio State comes into the matchup with an impressive record, but the team is not without challenges. Injuries along the offensive line have forced the Buckeyes to make adjustments. Starting right tackle Phillip Daniels and top reserve Josh Padilla were sidelined in the recent win over Purdue, and head coach Ryan Day has expressed hope that both will be available against UCLA. If not, the Buckeyes will lean on sophomore Ian Moore and junior Tegra Tshabola, while senior Ethan Onianwa could see action depending on how the game develops. Despite these changes, Ohio State has maintained strong pass protection throughout the season, ranking fourth nationally in sacks allowed and tackles for loss. The running game, though, has room for improvement. The Buckeyes averaged just 155 yards per game on the ground, although last week against Purdue they reached a season-high 170 rushing yards, showing signs of progress.
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On the other side, UCLA enters the game facing its own set of struggles. The Bruins’ defense has been porous this season, ranking near the bottom nationally in run defense and sacks. Their offense, led by quarterback Nico Iamaleava, has only scored more than 30 points twice this season and averages 20.4 points per game. Against Ohio State’s high-powered offense, averaging 36.3 points per game, UCLA will need to find a way to step up.
But beyond the stats and the scores, Ohio State is facing a different kind of challenge—managing depth and durability as the season enters its critical final stretch. Key players like Carnell Tate have missed games, while others, including Julian Sayin, have faced minor injuries that tested the team’s resilience. The Buckeyes have been forced to explore the depth of their roster, giving more opportunities to receivers and rotating the offensive line to preserve players for the season’s most crucial games.
The stage is set for a classic Big Ten showdown, where the scoreboard may reflect dominance, but the real story will be told in the grit, adjustments, and resilience of both teams. Fans can catch all the action this Saturday on NBC or stream it live on Peacock starting at 7:30 PM ET.
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