COLUMBUS — Ohio State has plenty to worry about heading into Saturday's showdown with defending national champion Indiana, but perhaps nothing is more important than keeping Julian Sayin on his feet.
The Buckeyes learned that lesson the hard way in last season's Big Ten Championship Game, and even last week against Maryland, when the Hoosiers sacked Sayin five times in a 13-10 victory. It was a remarkable breakdown for an offensive line that had surrendered just six sacks during the entire regular season.
Now, with fourth-ranked Ohio State preparing to face fifth-ranked Indiana in Bloomington, the challenge might be even greater.
Indiana has recorded 20 sacks through six games this season, averaging 3.3 per contest. The Hoosiers have also accumulated 49 tackles for loss, ranking among the nation's leaders in disrupting opposing offenses.
Defensive ends Stephen Daley and Tobi Osunsanmi have been outstanding, recording five sacks apiece. Their ability to generate pressure from the edges presents a huge concern for an Ohio State offensive line that has spent much of the season dealing with injuries and inconsistent performances.
The good news is that starting right tackle Phillip Daniels is expected to return after missing four consecutive games with an injury suffered against Texas. His availability would allow Gabe VanSickle, who filled in at right tackle against Maryland, to move back inside to right guard.
However, getting Daniels back doesn't necessarily solve Ohio State's protection problems.
The sophomore struggled in the season opener against Ball State, receiving an overall grade of just 59.8 from Pro Football Focus. His difficulties were significant enough that the Buckeyes temporarily moved Austin Siereveld from guard to tackle during that game.
Daniels then suffered his injury against Texas the following week, leaving him with limited playing time and little opportunity to establish consistency before Saturday's matchup.
After missing four games, some rust would hardly be surprising. Facing Daley and Osunsanmi isn't exactly an ideal situation for a tackle trying to get up to game speed against elite speed edge rushers.
Making matters worse, Ohio State will be without Siereveld, who has been ruled out for Saturday's game. His absence removes one of the Buckeyes' most experienced and versatile offensive linemen, further complicating a situation in which continuity and communication will be critical.
There is also evidence that the Buckeyes' protection issues extend beyond individual injuries.
Sayin has already been sacked 11 times through six games this season, nearly twice as many as he endured during the entire 2025 regular season. While not every sack can be attributed to offensive line play, the increase suggests Ohio State has struggled to provide the same consistently clean pocket its quarterback enjoyed a year ago.
And Indiana is particularly well-equipped to exploit those protection woes.
The Hoosiers demonstrated last December how effectively they can disrupt Sayin's rhythm when their defensive front controled the line of scrimmage. Their five sacks repeatedly left Ohio State facing difficult down-and-distance situations, limiting the offense's ability to sustain drives, and forcing the Buckeyes to settle for field goals instead of scoring touchdowns.
That puts additional pressure on Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to develop an approach that reduces the burden on the offensive line.
Quick passes, screens, and an effective rushing attack could help prevent Indiana's pass rushers from attacking Sayin on every obvious passing down. Moving the pocket and incorporating designed rollouts might also provide opportunities to counter an aggressive defensive front.
Of course, those adjustments will only go so far if Ohio State can't establish some consistency running the football. Indiana is allowing just 75 rushing yards per game, making it unlikely that the Buckeyes can simply rely on their ground game to keep the Hoosiers honest.
The absence of running back Ja'Kobi Jackson, who has also been ruled out, adds another complication. Bo Jackson will likely shoulder a heavier workload against a defense that has been very good at limiting opposing rushing attacks.
Ohio State has the offensive talent to challenge virtually any defense in the country. With Jeremiah Smith leading an explosive receiving corps and Sayin capable of making difficult throws, the Buckeyes have no shortage of weapons.
But none of those advantages will mean much if their quarterback spends Saturday afternoon running for his life.
The Buckeyes have spent much of the past year trying to move beyond the disappointment of last season's conference championship loss. Saturday provides an opportunity to demonstrate how much they've improved since that night in Indianapolis.
Protecting Sayin would be a good place to start.
