As the college football season heats up, fans are buzzing about the upcoming Big Ten clash between the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes and the UCLA Bruins. The game kicks off Saturday at 7 PM ET and, despite what the records say, it could get interesting.
Ohio State sits at a flawless 9-0, determined to keep its streak alive. UCLA, meanwhile, is at 3-6 and looking for a miracle. Let’s take a closer look at some storylines, player news, and how to actually watch this thing live.
Ohio State’s Offensive Line Concerns
The Buckeyes have been rolling, but there are some worries up front. Starting right tackle Phillip Daniels and top backup Josh Padilla both missed the recent Purdue win with injuries that haven’t been fully explained.
Coach Ryan Day says he’s hopeful they’ll return for UCLA. Otherwise, it’ll be up to sophomore Ian Moore and junior Tegra Tshabola to step in. Senior Ethan Onianwa could get called on too, depending on how things go.
Impact on Pass Protection
Even with these question marks, Ohio State’s pass protection has been rock solid. They’re fourth in the country in sacks allowed (0.56) and also fourth in tackles for loss (3.11).
Those numbers suggest the Buckeyes should be able to keep quarterback Julian Sayin upright, even if the line gets shuffled a bit.
Running Game Needs Improvement
Pass protection aside, the run game hasn’t been as impressive. The Buckeyes are currently 69th nationally, averaging 155.1 yards per game.
Against Purdue, though, they managed 170 rushing yards—a season-high versus a Power Four opponent. Maybe that’s a sign they’re figuring things out.
UCLA’s Defensive Struggles
On the other side, the Bruins have had a rough go defensively. They’re ranked 122nd in run defense and dead last in both sacks and tackles for loss per game.
That doesn’t bode well with Ohio State’s offense coming in, averaging 36.3 points per game. UCLA’s defense will need to dig deep just to slow things down.
Challenges Facing UCLA’s Offense
Offensively, things haven’t clicked for highly-touted quarterback Nico Iamaleava. UCLA has only topped 30 points twice this year and is putting up just 20.4 per game.
Honestly, that’s not going to cut it if they want to keep up with Ohio State.
Key Players to Watch
There are a few names to keep an eye on. For Ohio State, quarterback Julian Sayin will be looking to take advantage of UCLA’s shaky pass defense.
The Buckeyes’ offensive line, patched together or not, will be under the microscope. On UCLA’s side, Iamaleava has to find another gear if the Bruins hope to make this competitive.
Ohio State’s Defensive Standouts
Ohio State’s defense has been a real strength this season. They’ll be looking to feast on UCLA’s offensive struggles and keep the unbeaten run going.
Expect some big plays from the Buckeyes’ defensive stars—they’ve been making life tough for opponents all year.
How to Watch the Game
If you want to catch the action, it’s airing live on NBC and streaming on Peacock at 7 PM ET this Saturday. Prefer to stream? Peacock’s got you covered, so you can watch from wherever you happen to be.
Just make sure you’ve signed up ahead of time so you don’t miss the kickoff.
Special Offers for Students
If you’re a college student at a Title IV-accredited U.S. school, there’s a nice perk: Peacock Premium is free if you verify your status through SheerID.
It’s a great way to watch the game—and maybe some other stuff—without shelling out more cash than you already do for textbooks.
Conclusion
The Ohio State vs. UCLA matchup is shaping up to be pretty interesting. Sure, the Buckeyes are the clear favorites, but you never really know—maybe the Bruins will pull something unexpected if they can patch up their defense and get the offense moving.
Fans are definitely paying attention to this Big Ten clash. Ohio Stadium’s going to be buzzing, with everyone wondering if Ohio State stays perfect or if UCLA manages to cause a bit of chaos.
Want more details or the latest updates? Head over to NBC Sports.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
