Thanks to a season-opening win over the then-No. 1 Texas Longhorns, the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes have earned their spot atop the AP Poll. However, they have also shown that they might
just be a better team this season than they were in 2024.
Statistically, the Buckeyes look poised to put up huge numbers this season, especially on offense. Jeremiah Smith appears to be ready to smash even more OSU records, and he can set one of those records on Saturday in the Buckeyes’ Big Ten opener against the Washington Huskies.
There are several key numbers to keep in mind going into Saturday’s matchup that just might play a significant role in determining the game’s outcome. Let’s take a look at them in this week’s “By the numbers.”
4
It’s not just the number that Smith wears, but the sophomore needs just four receptions to reach 100 in his still-young career. If he does that on Saturday, he will tie Jaxson Smith-Njigba as the fastest Buckeyes to reach 100 receptions in a career in just 20 games.
Smith has already broken Smith-Njigba’s record for the fastest Buckeye to reach 1,500 receiving yards at 19 games, which he did against Ohio two weeks ago.
Records are made to be broken, and Smith is clearly coming for a lot of them.
0
In Ryan Day’s first six-plus seasons as Ohio State’s head coach, the Buckeyes have not lost in the regular season to any team not named Michigan or Oregon.
Yes, the losses to Michigan are frustrating, and the two losses to Oregon were also disappointing. But outside of those two teams, the Buckeyes have not lost in the regular season, and it seems like Day knows how to get his team prepared for games they are “supposed to win.”
6-1
That’s the Buckeyes’ record in games in the Pacific time zone since 2007, the last time OSU went to Seattle. The Buckeyes beat Washington 33-14 at Husky Stadium back in 2007. Since then, Ohio State has won four Rose Bowls, including the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals against Oregon back on New Year’s Day.
Ohio State also beat California in 2013. I probably don’t have to remind you that the Buckeyes’ only loss on the Pacific Coast since 2007 is at Oregon last season.
With four teams on the Pacific Coast now members of the Big Ten, the Buckeyes will be making more trips to the West Coast than they ever have in program history; hopefully, they will be able to keep their track record intact.
6/88/1
Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline was on OSU’s team that beat UW in 2007. In the game, Hartline had six receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown, a 33-14 Buckeyes win. Hartline’s touchdown was a 36-yard reception.
2
Likewise, Buckeye linebacker James Laurinaitis had two interceptions in the team’s win at Washington in 2007.
23-3
The Buckeyes are 24-2 in Big Ten road games with Ryan Day as their head coach. Again, their only two losses on the road in Big Ten play are at Michigan.
22
Washington has won 22 straight games at Husky Stadium, the longest active winning streak in college football.
0
The Huskies did not punt in their 59-24 win at Washington State last week, winning the Apple Cup for the fifth straight time as the road team.
38-7
That is Ryan Day’s record against head coaches he is facing for the first time. Day has never coached against Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch.
.901
That’s the Buckeyes’ winning percentage in Big Ten play in Ryan Day’s first six-plus seasons as head coach.
60/10
Huskies running back Jonah Coleman leads the country with 60 total points and 10 touchdowns.
52-0
Washington has outscored opponents 52-0 in the fourth quarter this season. That includes 28-0 at Washington State last week.
