Ohio State’s nationwide championship hopes are all of a sudden in peril.
Head coach Ryan Day said Tuesday the Buckeyes are getting ready to be with out quarterback Julian Sayin for the relaxation of the season, including the College Football Playoff, after he suffered a shoulder damage during Saturday’s win over Indiana.
The 21-year-old, who was a Heisman finalist last season, wasn’t formally dominated out for the yr, but the staff is bracing for Sayin to not return.
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) walks off the subject with his arm in a sling after a recreation against the Indiana Hoosiers at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“We’re not gonna put any timeline on his recovery, but he is out indefinitely,” Day informed reporters. “What we’re trying to do is give Julian and his family the space and privacy to go through this process, but based on the nature of the injury, we are putting together a plan for him not being available for the regular season and then also him not being available for the postseason.”
True freshman Luke Fahey and sophomore five-star Tavien St. Clair will now compete during the No. 3 Buckeyes’ bye week to decide who will begin on the highway against No. 16 USC on Halloween.
Sayin was injured on a fourth-quarter sack by Indiana’s Mario Landino, and the quarterback was in a sling after getting evaluated. Fahey changed him.
Ohio State’s Luke Fahey (13) avoids Indiana’s Tobi Osunsanmi (12) during an NCAA faculty soccer recreation at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
He has thrown for 2,007 yards, 19 touchdowns and 4 interceptions this season while finishing 68.2 % of his passes.
Last season, he had 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 77 completion proportion.
Fahey had “been ahead” of St. Clair getting into the win over the Hoosiers, according to Day, but he said both quarterbacks will get reps.
“We’re gonna play the guy that gives us the best chance to win,” the coach said.
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Tavien St. Clair (9) warms up during an NCAA soccer recreation against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Ohio State has a manageable schedule after dealing with the Trojans.
They’ll host Oregon on Nov. 7 and Northwestern on Nov. 14 before touring to face Nebraska on Nov. 21. The Buckeyes will then host rival Michigan on Nov. 28.
But whether they can make a deep run in the College Football Playoff is now a main query.