Ohio State Buckeyes vs Ohio Bobcats Picks and Predictions September 13th 2025

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Ohio State Buckeyes vs Ohio Bobcats Picks and Predictions

It’s an in-state battle in Columbus as the Ohio State Buckeyes welcome the Ohio Bobcats. The Buckeyes look every bit like the No. 1 team in the country, while the Bobcats head in confident after upsetting West Virginia.

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This isn’t just David vs. Goliath — it’s a chance for Ohio to prove they can hang with the nation’s best.

Ohio State: All About Sharpening the Edges

Ohio State hasn’t been tested yet, blasting Grambling State 70-0 last week. The focus is less about the scoreboard and more about execution heading into Big Ten play.

Freshman quarterback Julian Sayin has been sensational, completing 18 of 19 passes for 306 yards and four TDs against Grambling. He opened with a school-record 16 straight completions. His favorite target? Jeremiah Smith, who reeled in an 87-yard touchdown — the second longest in Buckeyes history.

Ohio State Early Season Snapshot

CategoryStatKey Note
Record2-0Ranked No. 1
Passing StarJulian Sayin18/19, 306 yds, 4 TD vs Grambling
Top TargetJeremiah Smith87-yd TD reception
Points Allowed7 totalElite defense so far

Coach Ryan Day stressed consistency: “You can’t circle opponents… it’s about the process.”

Ohio: Confident and Competitive

Ohio may not have Ohio State’s resources, but they’re not backing down. After nearly upsetting Rutgers in Week 1 (34-31 loss), they stunned West Virginia 17-10 behind a dominant defensive effort.

Linebacker Michael Molnar earned MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors with 7 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Meanwhile, dual-threat QB Parker Navarro is the key to keeping this close. He’s rushed for 180 yards and a score while throwing for 486 yards and 4 TDs in two games.

Ohio Bobcats Key Numbers

CategoryStatKey Note
Record1-1Win over WVU
QB Parker Navarro486 pass yds, 180 rush ydsDual-threat playmaker
Defensive StarMichael MolnarMAC Defensive POW
Opponent StrengthFaced Rutgers & WVUPower Four tests

Coach Brian Smith said his team is “excited for the challenge” of playing at the Horseshoe.

Matchup History and Storylines

This is the ultimate underdog story. The Buckeyes are national title contenders, while the Bobcats aim to make a memory in Ohio Stadium. For players from the state, the chance to compete against Ohio State is massive.

Ryan Day said it best: “It’s good for the state. I think it’s great for their school. I think it’s great for our school.”

Picks and Predictions

Ohio State has too much talent to lose here, but the Bobcats have proven they can punch above their weight.

  • Expect Ohio State’s defense to test Navarro’s decision-making.
  • Ohio may keep it interesting early, but the Buckeyes’ firepower should pull away.

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