5 storylines for Ohio State vs. Ball State Saturday | Buckeyes Wire

The long college football offseason is over, and that means YOUR Ohio State Buckeyes will be back in action to open the 2026 season against Ball State inside the venerable Horseshoe.

Each season is a new one with different players, coaches, and identity, and that will be the case with this year as well. From new turf to new on-field seats , to a lot of new players, and even a new offensive coordinator , there's a lot to unwrap with this scarlet and gray gift we're about to see Saturday.

Each game within a season makes its own mark as well, so we like to look ahead with some storylines before the Buckeyes go and do battle on the gridiron each week. Ohio State is highly favored in this one, but there's plenty to keep an eye on over this perceived speed bump, so let's dig in.

Here are five storylines to watch when Ohio State takes on Ball State Saturday afternoon.

What impact will new Ohio State O-Coordinator Arthur Smith have?

Smith brings an NFL scheme and mindset to Columbus, much the way defensive coordinator Matt Patricia did last season. There's a palpable buzz coming out of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center about the difference Smith has made with scheme, effort, and culture.

Look for multiple sets for plays, creative ways to get the best players the ball, and a little use of mismatches and tempo at times, among other things. More than anything, I'm anxious to see how varied the window-dressing and creative sets are during the game Saturday.

How good is Ohio State QB Julian Sayin 2.0?

The Ohio State quarterback had a fantastic first year as a starter, leading the nation in accuracy and finding his way to New York as a Heisman finalist. But that was just his first season as the starter. You would expect the Southern California native to take a step forward in year two, and we've heard that there's been some significant improvement from both the players and the coaches.

From his command to even better accuracy, to how quickly Sayin goes through his reads and gets the ball out of his hands, even head coach Ryan Day has been quick to compliment his development in the spring and fall. The team voted Sayin as one of the captains this year, and I can't wait to see what kind of player he's become with a little extra seasoning.

Has Ohio State RB Bo Jackson improved his game-breaking ability?

One of the biggest things the coaching staff lamented last season was the offensive players' lack of explosiveness after the catch or in the second level of runs. Bo Jackson had one of the best freshman seasons of any running back last season, but he too missed some opportunities with yards after contact, or when in space after getting through the initial defenders.

It was an emphasis by the coaching staff this offseason, and Day has said that Jackson is much better in that department. It's one thing to show it in practice, though; all of Buckeye Nation wants to see it when the bright lights of the games are on, and we should be able to observe a little of that Saturday afternoon.

Is Ohio State WR Devin McCuin as advertised?

Most of us thought that 5-star freshman receiver Chris Henry Jr. would get a chance to be that third starter alongside Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss , but we had to change that mindset with some of the comments Day and the coaching staff have made about UTSA transfer Devin McCuin .

When speaking to the media earlier this week, Day said that many in the building would say that McCuin is as good as anyone they've had at receiver. What? Yes, that's a shocking statement, and if it's true, the Buckeyes are going to have one whale of a receiving corps in 2026, and I can't wait to get my first taste of it this weekend.

Can the Ohio State defense retool at a high level?

It's the big elephant in the room. The Ohio State defense was tops in the country last year, and while that's a good thing, losing so many guys to the NFL is not -- maybe. The Buckeyes have to replace three guys that were drafted in the top 11 of the 2026 NFL draft, and that means we're really going to see if Patricia can earn his pay.

Clearly, there's still some talent left in the cupboard, but can this defense approach the level of last year's, or will there be some growing pains? You have to believe the scheme will be great again, but there's not much time to get things where they need to be with a top-five matchup with Texas looming after this one. Seeing new guys emerge is just the way things are done each year at Ohio State, and hopefully that's the case again in 2026.

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