Honestly, walking out of AT&T Stadium on New Year's Eve felt a lot like waking up with a cold you knew was coming but hoped you’d dodge. The Ohio State game update everyone is talking about right now isn't just a final score; it’s a total vibe shift for a program that felt invincible in November.
Twelve straight wins. A perfect regular season. A win in Ann Arbor that felt like a coronation. Then, the wheels didn't just come off—they basically disintegrated.
First, it was the 13-10 defensive slugfest loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship. We told ourselves it was a fluke, a "look-ahead" game. But the 24-14 loss to Miami in the Cotton Bowl? That was different. It was physical. It was jarring. The Hurricanes' defensive line, led by Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, treated the Ohio State offensive line like a turnstile.
What Really Happened in the Cotton Bowl?
If you missed the live action, the Ohio State game update looks like a nightmare on paper. Julian Sayin, the freshman phenom who had been so poised all year, finally looked like a kid. He was sacked five times. He threw a 72-yard pick-six to Keionte Scott that basically sucked the soul out of the Buckeyes' sideline.
The most frustrating part? The defense actually showed up.
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Ohio State’s defensive unit held Miami to just 24 points, which in the modern CFP era, usually wins you the game. But the offense stagnated. Jeremiah Smith—who is basically a human cheat code—had 157 yards and a touchdown, but he can't block for himself. When the Buckeyes needed to convert on third and short, they got stuffed. Every. Single. Time.
The Brian Hartline Departure and the Coaching Shakeup
You've probably heard by now, but the fallout from the Miami loss was instant. Brian Hartline, the man credited with turning Columbus into "Wide Receiver U," is officially gone. He took the head coaching job at USF. It’s a massive blow, but Ryan Day didn't wait around to mope.
The Buckeyes moved fast. They hired Cortez Hankton away from LSU to coach the receivers. Hankton has a ring from Georgia and a track record of putting guys like Malik Nabers into the first round. Is he Hartline? No. But he’s probably the only guy who could step into that room and not lose the respect of a guy like Jeremiah Smith immediately.
Day is still hunting for a new offensive coordinator. He called the plays in the Cotton Bowl, and frankly, the fan base isn't thrilled about that being a long-term solution.
The Transfer Portal Exodus (and the Silver Lining)
The sheer volume of names in the portal right now is dizzying. As of January 15, 2026, the Buckeyes have had 33 players enter the transfer portal.
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Thirty-three.
That sounds like a program in freefall, but let’s be real—most of these were "depth" players who saw the writing on the wall. The heavy hitters leaving, like offensive lineman Tegra Tshabola and wideout Quincy Porter, hurt. There's no way to sugarcoat that. However, the intake is arguably just as impressive.
The Buckeyes just landed a massive commitment from former Alabama defensive lineman James Smith and edge rusher Qua Russaw. They also snagged Mason Williams, a tight end from Ohio University, to fill the void left by Jelani Thurman.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Outlook
What’s next? The 2026 class is currently ranked No. 2 in the country, trailing only Texas. Chris Henry Jr. is still the crown jewel of that class, and he’s stayed firm despite the coaching changes.
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The schedule for next year doesn't get any easier, but the team that takes the field in August will look fundamentally different from the one that stumbled in Arlington. The "soft" label is being thrown around again, and you can bet Ryan Day is feeling the heat.
If you're looking for an Ohio State game update that offers hope, look at the basketball court. While the football team is in transition, the hoops squad is grinding through the Big Ten. They just took a tough loss at Washington (81-74), but Bruce Thornton is playing like an All-American. He dropped 28 in Seattle and is the clear heartbeat of that team.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Monitor the OC Search: Keep an eye on names like Joe Sloan or even NFL assistants. Day needs a dedicated play-caller to survive 2026.
- Watch the January 17 Hoops Game: The Buckeyes host UCLA at the Schottenstein Center. It's a chance to see if this team can bounce back from the Washington loss.
- National Signing Day: February is coming up fast. Ensuring the 2026 recruiting class stays intact is the single most important task for the new staff.
The 2025 season will be remembered as a "what if" year. A year where the Buckeyes were the best team in the country for three months and the most vulnerable for one. Now, the focus shifts to whether this 2026 rebuild can fix the trenches before the next big stage.