Fact or Fiction: Lack of Talent, Injuries Are Buckeyes' Biggest Issue

Does Ohio State have enough talent beyond Jeremiah Smith? Have injuries derailed the Buckeyes' season? And are Ryan Day and his coaching staff making things worse with questionable decisions in the red zone? In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr continue their Fact or Fiction series, examining the biggest problems facing Ohio State football based on responses from Buckeye fans. The discussion begins with a provocative question: If you take Jeremiah Smith away from Ohio State's offense, what strengths remain? Tony and Tom examine the Buckeyes' running game, the development of Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, and whether Ohio State has enough difference-makers on offense beyond its superstar receiver. They also take a closer look at the impact of injuries on Ohio State's offensive line, quarterback situation, running backs, and defense. How much of the team's inconsistency can be blamed on missing players, and how much falls on the coaching staff? And then there's the red-zone offense. Why does Ohio State continue taking Jeremiah Smith off the field near the goal line in favor of 14 personnel? Tony and Tom discuss Arthur Smith's offensive philosophy, Ryan Day's responsibility for game management, and whether the Buckeyes are making things unnecessarily difficult for themselves. Plus, can Luke Fahey make a significant jump in his second start against Oregon? And is Big Noon Kickoff somehow responsible for everything going wrong with Ohio State football? It's another episode of Fact or Fiction, where your opinions drive the conversation. 00:00 – Welcome to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast 00:26 – Fact or Fiction: What strengths does Ohio State have without Jeremiah Smith? 01:10 – Is Ohio State's running game good enough to carry the offense? 02:59 – Does Ohio State have enough offensive talent beyond its superstar receiver? 05:10 – Have injuries to the offensive and defensive lines been the biggest problem? 06:42 – Why offensive line injuries have devastated Ohio State's continuity 08:50 – Coaching decisions, clock management, and Ohio State's red-zone struggles 11:15 – Ryan Day's questionable game management and Arthur Smith's 14 personnel packages 13:34 – Even ChatGPT questions taking Jeremiah Smith off the field at the goal line 15:16 – Can Luke Fahey make a Tommy Carr-like jump in his second start? 16:14 – Why Oregon presents a bigger challenge for Fahey than USC 18:03 – Fact or Fiction: Is Big Noon Kickoff responsible for Ohio State's problems? 18:36 – Final thoughts and how to support Buckeye Weekly Join the Conversation! What's the biggest issue facing Ohio State right now? Is it a lack of elite offensive talent outside of Jeremiah Smith? Have injuries made it impossible for the Buckeyes to play up to their potential? Or are questionable coaching decisions, particularly in the red zone, the real problem? And should Ohio State ever take Jeremiah Smith off the field in goal-line situations? Let us know what you think in the comments! For more Ohio State football news, insider analysis, recruiting coverage, and conversation with fellow Buckeye fans, visit: https://BuckeyeInsiders.com 👍 Hit the LIKE button if you enjoy the discussion! 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast and turn on notifications for more Ohio State football coverage. 🎧 Listen to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to leave a five-star rating and review!