Through seven games this college football season, Ohio State has relied on strong defense and a passing attack that runs through star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The Buckeyes have supplemented that with a decent run game at times, and that formula has them right where they want to be. 

Now, that formula is going to be tested.

Quarterback Julian Sayin went down with an injury in Ohio State’s Week 7 win over the Indiana Hoosiers. Following the win, Ohio State coach Ryan Day said the injury is expected to keep Sayin out at least a couple of weeks. With Sayin sidelined, the Buckeyes are turning to freshman quarterback Luke Fahey to make a road start against USC in Week 9 following their bye week.

Luke Fahey steps into the spotlight

The USC game will be a homecoming of sorts for Fahey. The freshman is from California and was a 3-star recruit in Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class. Fahey beat out former 5-star recruit Tavien St. Clair for the backup job, and now the pressure is on him to keep getting the ball to Smith and win games. That is what needs to happen for Ohio State to stay on track to accomplish its goals this season.

Fahey’s first action didn’t go smoothly, but it wasn’t unexpected given the situation. He completed 0-of-2 passes after stepping in during the fourth quarter against Indiana, and he’s going to have to improve on that mark against USC in another hostile road environment. Fahey was a combined 9-of-11 passing for 203 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions against Ball State and Kent State early in the season in mop up duty.

Jeremiah Smith gets real regarding needing to build chemistry with Luke Fahey 

Smith, who has been the centerpiece of the Buckeyes’ passing game for three seasons now, was asked how he and the freshman can get on the same page heading into such an important stretch. The star wideout didn’t pretend it would happen overnight.

“A lot of practice, a lot of reps … we got to get together. Especially [because] we got a bye this week,” Smith said. “We got time, about two weeks until we play a game. So it’s going to take time to build that. I ain’t going to say it’s going to take one day. It’s not that easy. But like I said, it’s going to take time.”

That sounds good, but the Buckeyes don’t have a ton of time to work with. Ohio State has just days before preparation for USC really ramps up, and Fahey is going to be expected to perform once the Buckeyes take the field on the road. The bye week helps, but it doesn’t erase the reality of a freshman making his first start away from Columbus.

Ohio State’s schedule doesn’t get any easier

The Trojans are 6-1 and will present a real challenge on their home field. From there, the Buckeyes close the regular season against Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan.

Ohio State doesn’t have any more games where it can put an opponent away in the first half and rotate through the backups. However long Fahey plays for the Buckeyes, he’s going to have to step up and make throws in big situations, because those moments are going to come.

Ohio State’s coaching staff will have Fahey better prepared than he was when he was thrown into action at Indiana, and a full bye week of reps with Smith should help. Still, the next couple of weeks are going to be crucial for the freshman and for Ohio State’s season. Time will tell if Fahey is ready for the moment.