Ohio State

6-2

Week 10 · updated Wednesday, Nov 4

Ohio State lost 18-30 at USC as a 6.5-point favorite.

Fan mood in the week of the USC game: sour, sourer than usual for them

Fan mood in each Ohio State game week this season

Compared with other fanbases in r/CFB game threads that week. Each row is a week, named for its game; the further right the dot, the brighter the talk.

sourerbrighterat Texas L 23-24not enough talk to readvs Kent State W 59-3middle of the packvs Illinois W 42-19on the bright sideat Iowa W 31-14on the bright sidevs Maryland W 45-16on the bright sideat Indiana W 19-15not enough talk to readat USC L 18-30soursourerbrighterSep 12at TexasL 23-24not enough talk to readSep 19vs Kent StateW 59-3middle of the packSep 26vs IllinoisW 42-19on the bright sideOct 3at IowaW 31-14on the bright sideOct 10vs MarylandW 45-16on the bright sideOct 17at IndianaW 19-15not enough talk to readOct 31at USCL 18-30sour
  • W 56-3 vs Ball State
  • L 23-24 at Texas
  • W 59-3 vs Kent State
  • W 42-19 vs Illinois
  • W 31-14 at Iowa
  • W 45-16 vs Maryland
  • W 19-15 at Indiana
  • L 18-30 at USC
  • Next: vs Oregon, Saturday, Nov 7

Scores ours first. The two losses came by 1 and 12.

Ohio State fans in other seasons

souruneasymixedhopefulall in2019mixed2020mixed2026 so farhopefulsouruneasymixedhopefulall in2019mixed2020mixed2026so farhopeful

2021-2025 are not shown: not enough of their chatter was read to place a season.

Since the last game

Ohio State lost 18-30 at USC.

The whole USC game

Then and now

Ryan Day has taken Ohio State to a bowl in each of his seven full seasons.

Before Oregon

Ryan Day is 1-2 against Oregon as a head coach.

The playoff simulation gives Ohio State a 65% chance at home against Oregon on Saturday, Nov 7.

In the playoff simulation, the Oregon game has a playoff place on it for Ohio State.

Oregon game on Now

What the Oregon game is worth

How fan mood is read

Fan mood compares what Ohio State fans wrote in r/CFB game threads with every FBS fanbase with enough talk that week. A week runs Monday to Sunday and is named for the game in it. The read is redrawn 300 times from the same commenters, re-ranking every fanbase each time. Sour or all in means the read sat in the bottom or top fifth in at least 70 of every 100 draws; on the sour side or on the bright side, in the bottom or top two fifths in at least 80; anything less settled is middle of the pack. A bright label also needs more positive talk than negative, and a sour one the reverse. Brighter or sourer than usual compares the week with the team's own earlier weeks, after taking out how every fanbase read that week. Each dot sits at the read's rank that week. A week read before these labels keeps the word it was first given, the fifth it sat in (sour, uneasy, mixed, hopeful or all in). Season averages are the mean of a season's reads, in fifths from sour to all in, and seasons before 2026 were read from each week's wider talk, so a comparison across seasons is rough. 2019 and 2020 were read later, in one pass, from saved talk.

Fan mood, week by week

Mood over time

Position = mood · width = volume · color = the kind of feeling

What the message boards say

Message boards

Via BuckeyePlanet · Eleven Warriors

What the reporters say

What reporters say

147 quotes collected this season

What the beat said, in their own words.

You have to know where he's at at all times; he's dynamic in every phase. I think our players are excited to take on that challenge. But defending a guy like him is a real challenge
Lanning · FOX Sports3 days after Ohio State's 2026 game against USC
He's certainly pro-ready. I think anybody that's played against him already would tell you that he probably was two years ago, right? So he certainly is now
Lanning · FOX Sports3 days after the 18-30 game
We have a big stretch coming down the road, and [we] just [have] to go out there and battle every day
Williams · The Lantern2 days after the 18-30 game

More in this tab

Arguments

Recurring takesThe takes and theories circulating about this team right now.

What’s in the air

Tennessee secured a historic commitment in David Gabriel-Georges, potentially altering the landscape of college…

How will David Gabriel-Georges impact Tennessee's future?

Still openAug 26→ 14
Our sentiment model: 21.4% negative, 35.7% positive
Father seems 100% committed to his son coming to Ohio State - https://x.com/Showcase_Keith/status/2069204404667023489 Austin seems 100% ready to go with joining the elite WRs at Ohio State.r/CFB
It’s a boost to him getting more notoriety and social media followers. And now any sporting event he goes to people will say there’s the kid committed to Ohio state.r/CFB

The Buckeyes aim to rebuild after heavy NFL Draft losses while showcasing their program to top prospects.

Can Ohio State secure key recruits during their open practices?

Still openAug 15→ 16
Our sentiment model: 31.2% negative, 18.8% positive
Oregon at Ohio State will be a night game if there is any justice in the world....looking at you FOX (keep your Big Noon hands off of this game).YouTube · Josh Pate's College Football Show
Completely biased POV…you’re planning on going to way too many Ohio State games. What happened to not seeing a team more than once in the regular season? Wasn’t that the video we watch a month ago? lolYouTube · Josh Pate's College Football Show

The Buckeyes are working to secure key recruits and integrate transfer portal additions to maintain their competitive…

Can Ohio State successfully rebuild its roster after heavy NFL Draft losses?

Still openJul 27→ 18
Our sentiment model: 38.9% negative, 33.3% positive
Trying to toss Ohio State a “higher morality” compliment @27:00 is just comical 😂 OSU has been synonymous with scandals since foreverYouTube · Josh Pate's College Football Show
lol this is HILARIOUS, OHIO STATE hands down best receiviers in college football and most accurate quarterbackYouTube · ESPN College Football
The argumentThe one thing this fanbase can't agree on, with receipts.

Inside the fanbase: all 12 corners

Cr/CFB
GGoogle News
LLocked On
LLand Grant Holy Land
CCampus paper
BBuckeyePlanet
BBluesky
YYouTube
8 outlets & communities talking

The split, staged

Warmest corner+0.09
Local
Most bought-in cohort
vs
Coldest corner+0.04
Casuals
Coolest cohort

How Ohio State fans actually talk

Rr/CFBFan talk

Damn, portnoy got michigan fans cheering an ohio state coach He truly is terrible

open ↗

One of the crowd’s most upvoted takes — read for mood, not as a side. The cohort read is the measured part.

From the team’s own coverage

▶

Locked On

Mistakes: Ohio State Buckeyes Face Uncharted Territory, can they recover and make the playoff?

listen ↗

All 12 corners of the fanbase

negative
0
positive
Casuals+0.04 to Local+0.09

Cohort sentiment is a source-weighted model read — never a quote pinned to a person.

What this fanbase keeps coming back to

fan energy
27%
recent results
19%
where the program is headed
13%
the coaching staff
8%
offense
7%

Topics are model-labeled from Reddit — a rough signal of what this fanbase is circling right now.

week 10. The sources and the divergence rank are measured. Cohort labels and sentiment are a source-weighted model estimate, never a quote attributed to a person.
ArgumentsRecurring arguments this fanbase keeps returning to.

What fans are saying

position battleWidely held among fans

fans question why Tavien St. Clair isn’t starting

Fahey has had the starting role up to this point. But St. Clair has one more year of experience, 2 more stars, and an extra 5 inches. This guys is BUILT like an NFL QB so my question is why isn’t he playing???

Obviously I’m not affiliated with the team have not seen practice, etc. but I’m so confused on why we’re going w fahey? That guy doesn’t look like a real qb. Yes, I know w 2 weeks to prepare things could look different, but wth is wrong w st Clair?

Based on 3 comments from 3 posters across 3 threads · Oct 27, 2026–Oct 31, 2026 · via ESPN College Football, OhioStateFootball

recruiting effortLimited signal that season

fans believe Ohio State is focusing on fewer recruits to keep players longer

Ohio State is backing out of said race-slightly. They are tightening their focus to a smaller # of elite prospects every year, with the belief that said focus will increase the success/retention rate of every class, and the portal is always there.

Based on 2 comments from 2 posters across 2 threads · Jul 6, 2026–Jul 13, 2026 · via CFB

player performanceOne fan's take

One fan thinks Julian’s passing accuracy is worse than past Ohio State QBs

julian is nowhere near the athlete Justin, CJ, Dwayne, or JT demonstrated. its like a night and day difference in quarterback play

the level of cope one needs to try and say julian is on par with the likes of Justin and CJ at the quarterback position is ridiculous

Based on 3 comments from 1 poster across 2 threads · Oct 26, 2026 · via OhioStateFootball

coaching decisionOne fan's take

One fan thinks JJ would have improved the team’s performance

If we had had JJ we probably 3-peat in 22,23, and 24.

Seeing JJ throughly outplay CJ (again) while having less help (again) makes me really start to wonder how dominant we’d have been if Ryan day didn’t foolishly pass on JJ.

Based on 2 comments from 1 poster across 1 thread · Oct 25, 2026 · via OhioStateFootball

position battleOne fan's take

One fan thinks the team lacks depth at the quarterback position

TSC is third string behind a true freshman qb like Day wasn’t just gimmicking????

Based on 1 comment from 1 poster across 1 thread · Oct 21, 2026 · via OhioStateFootball

Show all 12
position battleOne fan's take

One fan believes Luke Fahey has outperformed Tavien St. Clair in recent practices

But then, consistent with those fall camp rumors, Fahey got the first meaningful in-game backup QB snaps over TSC.

Based on 1 comment from 1 poster across 1 thread · Oct 19, 2026 · via OhioStateFootball

position battleOne fan's take

One fan thinks Tavien St. Clair needs more game time to prove himself

I'm more concerned about how Ohio State is going to win vs TTUN and the B1G championship with either Fahey or St Clair starting.

Based on 1 comment from 1 poster across 1 thread · Oct 19, 2026 · via OhioStateFootball

player performanceOne fan's take

One fan believes the current QB is underperforming

Not capable of winning a championship and the sooner he’s gone the better off the program will be. Texas twice, Indiana twice, and the Miami CFP game he looked like a weaker version of Kyle McCord.

Based on 1 comment from 1 poster across 1 thread · Oct 19, 2026 · via OhioStateFootball

player performanceOne fan's take

One fan believes Julian Sayin lacks experience at quarterback

Jules ain’t got it and doesn’t belong in this program. He’s played 5 games against elite level defenses and looked awful in all 5.

Based on 1 comment from 1 poster across 1 thread · Oct 19, 2026 · via OhioStateFootball

player performanceOne fan's take

One fan believes Jeremiah Smith has the highest impact on games

I remember saying in game 2 or 3 of Jeremiah's freshman year---He's the best ever at Ohio State. It's come true.

Based on 1 comment from 1 poster across 1 thread · Oct 11, 2026 · via OhioStateFootball

player performanceOne fan's take

One fan thinks Sayin’s production is inflated by scheme

I would also add that his accuracy is pretty overrated due to how wide open his receivers are and the talent disparity between Ohio State and most of its opponents.

Based on 1 comment from 1 poster across 1 thread · Oct 11, 2026 · via OhioStateFootball

schedule expectationOne fan's take

One fan believes Ohio State can still win enough games to stay in playoff contention

It's going to be the game of the year this year. I have no doubt that win or lose, both teams will make the Playoffs easily.

Based on 1 comment from 1 poster across 1 thread · Sep 9, 2026 · via OhioStateFootball

Rival talk

The obsessionThe rival this fanbase can't stop bringing up.
Rent Free · r/CFB fan posts, 2026 season
Ohio State fans 83% of posts bring up another team▼1pp quieter#6 of 77 saltiest · mostly about Texas
Who Ohio State fans can’t stop bringing up
  1. Texas19%
  2. Michigan14%
  3. USC11%
  4. Iowa8%
  5. Oregon8%
share of Ohio State’s football posts that mention each team
Ohio State lives rent-free in
  1. Iowa10%
  2. Miami9%
  3. Oregon9%
  4. Texas8%
  5. Michigan7%
share of each rival fanbase’s football posts that bring up Ohio State
Rivalry mirrorHow the rival's fans talk about you vs. you about them.
The rivalry mirror 2026 season
Ohio State
×
Michigan
← Ohio State fans, on Michigan
Michigan fans, on Ohio State →
homez 2.8
betterz 3.4
offensez 2.6
keepz 2.7
rankedz 2.1
singlez 2.5
programz 2.0
rivalryz 2.5
lossesz 2.0
mgopointsz 2.4

“That’s my QB! Go get ‘em Buckeye Slayer!”

reddit/CFB · fan post
Words each fanbase uses about the other far more than in everyday talk. A longer bar means the word stands out more. The number is its z-score, how far above usual it runs; 2 or more is notable.
Rivalry wordsNumbers from Words for this program and its tier-1 rival, staged side by side.
What the sport says about this rivalry 2026 season · from Words

The watchlist words in play for this rivalry, Ohio State vs. Michigan, staged head to head. A number is how much a program uses that word against the average FBS program — above or below 1.0× — not raw volume, and not a claim about who says it about whom.

Ohio State Michigan
The whole board →

How Ohio State fans talk

Who they talk aboutThe people this fanbase names more than anyone else does.
Who they talk about Against the field · 2026 season

The names this fanbase says more than anyone else does — players, coaches, the places they keep coming back to. Not slang: these are the people carrying the conversation.

Name of the weekLuke Fahey×55.4Wk 10
Julian Sayin
×79.4 the field
Signature — named ≥10× as often as the rest of college football
Julian Sayin×79.4
Ryan Day×35.0
Luke Fahey×138.5
Legend Bey×81.9
Matt Patricia×28.0
Jay Timmons×53.4

“Can Ohio State Survive Without Julian Sayin? Freshman QB, Brutal Schedule”

reddit/OhioStateFootball · fan post
Fans on Julian Sayin
  1. Julian Sayin. At some point they are going to have to trust Luke to execute and make a CFP
  2. Julian Sayin is out just means it’s less likely they make the CFP. You don’t get the benefit
  3. Julian Sayin isn’t back then I have zero faith in this offense against their defense. Since
  4. Ohio at 9 is wild. Julian Sayin didn't play defense. To be fair to Ohio State no one on their team played defense
  5. Julian Sayin with him. I would hire the Western Michigan coach. He's the real deal folks!
  6. Julian Sayin's injury. The bigger concern was that the Buckeyesstruggled to generate offense
  7. 13 Fehey is No QB and Day is NO Coach. The Heart of this Team was Julian Sayin. The OSU offensive line coach ended Sayin's football career and cost Sayin, OSU,
  8. Julian Sayin, who was out indefinitely. Still, I was surprised by how flat the Buckeyes looked.
What they're calledThe slang the sport reaches for about this program more than most.
What the sport calls them 2026 season · from Words

How often college football reaches for these watchlist words about Ohio State — against the average FBS program, or against their own usual rate — said by rival fans and national media as readily as by their own people.

The whole board →
Voice profileHow this fanbase sounds vs. every other fanbase.
Measured
Optimism
19th
Joy
23rd
Anger
65th
Doom
50th
Sarcasm
73rd
Vs the 127 highest-volume fanbases - 2026 season
Vocabulary by eraThe words that defined each chapter of this program.

Season vocabulary

2026sayin
sayindaysmithdonlineneed
But our defense didn’t lose sayin… wtf defense?
2025alabama
alabamabluetechbowloklahomawashington
Will Oklahoma jump Notre Dame? Where will alabama be ranked?
2024defense
defensetouchdownpasshowardcollege playoffoffense
Wait you’re allowed to get stops on defense?
This page may include content derived from public news sources, social media, and fan communities. We relay these sources as-is — we are not reporting them. Sources may be summarized or quoted imperfectly; for anything that matters, go look at the original source directly. The original source may also be wrong. Text written by our model says so in a line beneath it, and it can get facts wrong. All analysis is editorial opinion, not professional reporting. Data sources · About this site