Revealed: November Showdown as Four Critical Questions Facing Ohio State Football

Four Key Questions for Ohio State Football as November Approaches

Heading into the final stretch of the college football season, Ohio State finds itself in an intriguing position. While the Buckeyes have endured a few setbacks—most notably their loss to Oregon earlier in the year—they are still very much in the hunt for a shot at the College Football Playoff (CFP) and a potential national championship. A 20-13 victory at Penn State has provided a much-needed boost, keeping their championship aspirations alive. Despite this positive momentum, there are still several key questions surrounding the team, each of which could ultimately determine the trajectory of their season.

Ohio State has shown resilience in the face of adversity, and their goals remain attainable. However, they are now at a point in the season where the margin for error is razor-thin. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Buckeyes can play up to their potential, particularly with tougher matchups looming on the horizon. With November fast approaching, four primary questions need to be answered if Ohio State hopes to continue its path toward the Playoff.

Is the Offensive Line a Finished Product?

One of the more persistent concerns for Ohio State throughout the season has been the offensive line. The unit has undergone some significant changes, particularly in recent weeks, and how well the line performs in the remaining games will have a major impact on the team’s overall success. Head coach Ryan Day has been clear that one of the goals this season is to ensure the offensive line gains as much experience as possible, and recent lineup shifts have demonstrated that commitment.

Carson Hinzman’s insertion at left guard, for instance, has been a noteworthy development. The junior had transitioned from starting center in 2023 to a backup in 2024, as younger players such as Donovan Jackson and Tegra Tshabola moved ahead of him on the depth chart. However, when called upon against Penn State, Hinzman was more than ready for the challenge. Day praised his performance, noting that while Hinzman wasn’t particularly noticeable during the game, that’s actually a good sign for an offensive lineman. A quiet, solid performance often indicates that the lineman did his job without causing disruptions, and that’s exactly what the Buckeyes needed.

Meanwhile, Donovan Jackson, who has spent the majority of his career as a left guard, was forced to shift to left tackle due to injuries to Josh Simmons and Zen Michalski. Jackson’s move to tackle was a pivotal moment for the team, and he will likely remain in that position for the rest of the season, even if Michalski is able to return. The versatility and depth of Ohio State’s offensive line will be tested in the coming weeks, as the Buckeyes face teams with increasingly formidable defensive lines.

Another question is the stability of the right guard position. Tegra Tshabola had been the starter earlier in the season, but Austin Siereveld was given more reps against Penn State. This position battle remains fluid, and it’s possible that the starting five could shift once again as the team looks for the optimal combination to protect quarterback Kyle McCord and create running lanes for the backs.

While the offensive line’s performance has been a work in progress, the next two games—against less formidable opponents—offer Ohio State a chance to solidify its front five and continue to build cohesion. This is crucial because, as the team heads into November, every game from here on out could be a must-win for Playoff contention. The ability of the offensive line to perform at a consistently high level will determine how effective the offense can be overall.

Can Kyle McCord Clean Up His Mistakes?

At quarterback, Kyle McCord has been a steady presence for the Buckeyes this season. Through the first nine games, he has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards and boasts 19 touchdown passes, the most in the Big Ten. His poise and leadership have been critical for a team that has faced some adversity. However, McCord’s performance has not been without its blemishes, and one of the key questions heading into the final stretch of the season is whether he can clean up some of his mistakes.

Against Penn State, McCord’s struggles were evident. While he still managed to lead the team to a victory, he also threw an interception and committed a costly fumble near the end zone. His overall performance wasn’t terrible, but it certainly wasn’t perfect. In fact, McCord himself admitted that it was likely his worst game of the season. The five interceptions he has thrown this year are concerning, as they have often come at critical moments, such as when Ohio State is attempting to build momentum or control the game.

Ohio State’s offense has relied heavily on McCord’s ability to manage the game and take advantage of opportunities when they arise. While the Buckeyes are not yet in danger of losing a game solely because of McCord’s mistakes, the concern is that these errors could come back to haunt them in a high-stakes matchup against a more explosive team, particularly when the margin for error is so slim.

The bigger issue for McCord isn’t necessarily his ability to make plays; it’s his tendency to force the ball into tight windows or make poor decisions under pressure. His interception total, though not excessive, is higher than previous starting quarterbacks under Day’s regime—Justin Fields, C.J. Stroud, and Kyle McCord all had fewer picks in comparable situations.

The real question is whether McCord can clean up these mistakes and play a more controlled brand of football. If he can limit turnovers and make smarter decisions, the Buckeyes’ offense has the potential to be one of the most dangerous in the country. But if these issues persist, it could ultimately hinder Ohio State’s ability to make a deep Playoff run.

Can Ohio State Play a Complete Game?

One of the most persistent questions surrounding Ohio State this season is whether the team can put together a complete game. The Buckeyes have shown flashes of brilliance on both sides of the ball, but they’ve also shown moments of inconsistency. The offense has had games where it clicked on all cylinders, while the defense has had its share of dominant performances. But never both at the same time.

In wins over teams like Wisconsin and Penn State, Ohio State has been able to lean on one side of the ball when the other faltered. Against Wisconsin, the defense stood tall while the offense sputtered. Against Penn State, the offense did enough, but it was the defense—particularly in the second half—that helped secure the victory. The problem is that this team hasn’t yet been able to play a truly complete game where both the offense and defense are clicking at the same time.

If Ohio State wants to be a legitimate national title contender, they will need to figure out how to put together a full 60-minute performance. The Buckeyes have the talent on both sides of the ball to dominate when everything is working, but they’ve yet to show that they can consistently execute for an entire game. The potential is there, but it’s a matter of putting it all together.

It’s also worth noting that the longer Ohio State goes without playing a complete game, the more it could raise doubts about their ability to reach that level. If the offense and defense can’t get on the same page, it could ultimately limit the team’s chances in the Playoff, where one mistake or lapse in execution could be the difference between advancing and going home.

A Golden Opportunity or Fool’s Gold?

After the win over Penn State, Ohio State is at a crossroads. They’ve picked up a quality top-five win, but the question remains: Was that victory a sign of things to come, or was it just another moment where they won despite not playing their best football?

There are some who will argue that Ohio State’s win over Penn State doesn’t carry as much weight because James Franklin’s teams have struggled in big games, particularly against Ohio State. But there’s also a growing sense that this win could be the moment where things clicked for the Buckeyes. Ryan Day has acknowledged that every great accomplishment in life comes through adversity. Ohio State has already been through some adversity this season, and the next step is figuring out how to build on that victory and turn it into something even greater.

As the season enters its final month, Ohio State has a golden opportunity to make a push for the Playoff. But as Day said, they need to “will themselves to win” and capitalize on these chances. If they can do that, the Buckeyes could very well be holding a trophy in January. If not, this season might end up as just another “what if” scenario, like so many before it.

Ohio State’s path to a national championship is still within reach, but it’s up to the team to answer these critical questions and show that they are capable of playing their best football when it matters most. The next few weeks will tell us whether the Buckeyes can fulfill their potential, or if this season will fall short of the lofty goals they set in the offseason. The answers to these questions will shape the future of Ohio State football.