Fresh off a season-opening victory over No. 7 Texas that vaulted them to the top of the national rankings, the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes prepare to host Grambling State on Saturday.
The Buckeyes’ defense was the story in their 14-7 triumph over the Longhorns. Ohio State stifled heralded quarterback Arch Manning, holding him to just 17-of-30 passing for 170 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. With the win, the Buckeyes improved to 5-0 against SEC opponents inside Ohio Stadium.
While Ohio State is heavily favored, the Tigers enter the contest with their own momentum from a dominant 55-7 opening victory over Langston. Quarterback Czavian Teasett led the way with an impressive 203-yard, three-touchdown performance. This game marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Ohio State vs. Grambling State: How to Watch
Date: Saturday, Sept. 6 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Ohio Stadium — Columbus, Ohio
TV: Big Ten Network | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
Key Storylines
A Rare Matchup: Saturday’s game is an infrequent scheduling choice for Ohio State, which seldom plays FCS opponents. The Buckeyes’ most recent FCS contest was a 35-7 victory against Youngstown State in 2023. The program has not lost to a current FCS school since a 21-7 defeat to Cornell in 1940.
Opportunity for Smith: After a relatively quiet season opener, all-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith will look to regain his explosive form. Against Texas, Smith was held to six catches for 43 yards and had a couple of uncharacteristic drops. This matchup provides an opportunity for him to build chemistry with new quarterback Julian Sayin and re-establish his big-play ability.
Run Defense Tune-Up: Despite the commanding defensive performance against Texas, one area for refinement is the run defense. The Longhorns found moderate success on the ground, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, with running back Quintrevion Wisner gaining 80 yards on 16 attempts. Against Grambling State, Matt Patricia’s defensive unit has a chance to tighten its run fits before facing more formidable rushing attacks later in the season.
