Ohio State QB Julian Sayin’s injury may completely reshape the College Football Playoff race
Ohio State beat previously unbeaten Indiana 19-15, ending the Hoosiers’ 22-game winning streak, but the victory was overshadowed by a shoulder injury to starting quarterback Julian Sayin. Coach Ryan Day said Sayin is likely to miss several weeks, potentially affecting Ohio State’s ability to stay in contention for the College Football Playoff.
Sayin was injured when he was sacked and fumbled in the fourth quarter, then left the field with his right arm in a sling. True freshman Luke Fahey is expected to take over after the Buckeyes’ bye week; his next test could be a road game against No. 16 USC, followed by Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska and Michigan. Ohio State was ranked third and Indiana fifth in the poll cited in the article.
- Ohio State beat Indiana 19-15 but lost quarterback Julian Sayin to injury.
- Coach Ryan Day expects Sayin to miss several weeks.
- Freshman Luke Fahey may start against USC after the bye.
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Ohio State and Indiana are universities whose American football teams compete in the Big Ten, a major college sports conference. Ohio State is led by coach Ryan Day, and Julian Sayin had been its starting quarterback, the player who directs the offence and throws the ball.
The College Football Playoff is the end-of-season competition that determines the national champion in top-level college football. Teams’ results and rankings help shape who qualifies, so a prolonged absence for a starting player could affect Ohio State’s prospects; freshman Luke Fahey is among the players who may take on a larger role.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Ohio State can remain a playoff contender despite Sayin’s injury: the team beat an unbeaten Indiana side, and the schedule gives a new starter time to prepare before a demanding run of games. If Fahey adapts quickly and the defence continues to perform, the Buckeyes may still earn the results needed to stay in contention.
The case against
Losing Sayin for several weeks could sharply weaken Ohio State at a pivotal point in the season, especially with road games against USC and Oregon and later tests against Michigan and other ranked opposition. A true freshman taking over may struggle with the pace and pressure, making dropped games more likely and leaving the Buckeyes with little margin to recover in the playoff race.