Ohio State Football Shocker: New Depth Chart Unveils Surprise Starter Ahead of Season Opener

It’s Week 2 in Columbus, and top-ranked Ohio State returns to Ohio Stadium on Saturday for a first-ever matchup with Grambling State that doubles as the Buckeyes’ lone FCS tune-up of the 2025 season. A statement opener, now a potential trap Ryan Day’s team earned the No. 1 spot by suffocating then-No. 1 Texas 14-7 behind a defense that limited Arch Manning to 5.7 yards per attempt and snagged a late interception. The challenge this week is maintaining intensity against a Grambling squad fresh off a 55-7 rout of Langston, where quarterback Czavian Teasett threw three touchdowns. Kickoff, TV and streaming info • Date: Saturday, Sept. 6 • Time: 3:30 p.m. ET • Place: Ohio Stadium (The Horseshoe), Columbus • TV: Big Ten Network | Live stream: Fubo (free trial) Key storylines to watch Jeremiah Smith’s bounce-back game All-America candidate WR Jeremiah Smith posted a quiet six-catch, 43-yard day in Austin and dropped two passes. Expect offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to feed the sophomore early against Grambling’s secondary to rebuild chemistry with new QB Julian Sayin and reignite a passing attack that ranked just 87th nationally after Week 1. Run-defense tune-up Texas averaged 4.5 yards per carry and produced 80 yards from RB Quintrevion Wisner, exposing small cracks up front. With Big Ten heavyweight Penn State looming in three weeks, Jim Knowles and new run-game analyst Matt Patricia will treat Grambling’s option looks as a live rehearsal for gap integrity and linebacker fit discipline. Rare FCS visit to the ‘Shoe Ohio State hasn’t lost to a current FCS school since Cornell in 1940 and has scheduled just three FCS opponents since 2010 (Youngstown State twice, Florida A&M). Saturday’s meeting is the programs’ first and only the Buckeyes’ second game ever against a SWAC member, underscoring the novelty—and the scrutiny—around the matchup. What a convincing win would mean • Keeps the Buckeyes atop every major poll ahead of a Sept. 13 in-state clash with Ohio University. • Offers Kelly a low-pressure window to test tempo packages and true-freshman RB Jordan Marshall in live action. • Allows Day to rotate backup defenders after halftime, preserving health before the Big Ten grind. Prediction Oddsmakers have yet to post an official spread, but expect Ohio State to be favored by 45+ points. If Sayin protects the football and the front seven contains Grambling RB Floyd Chism (94 yards, 2 TDs last week), the Buckeyes should cruise, 56-10, while checking every “style points” box the playoff committee tracks in September.