Image source: CFP/Getty Images
Ohio State’s 2025 season ended with a thud, and a lot of eyes are now locked on one specific issue: the line of scrimmage. After the Buckeyes fell to Indiana and Miami to close out the year, former OSU head coach Urban Meyer didn’t sugarcoat what he saw — and star receiver Jeremiah Smith seemed to agree publicly.
During an episode of his Triple Option podcast, Meyer said Ohio State “got [its] a– kicked at the line of scrimmage the last two games.” Smith, the Buckeyes’ breakout sophomore wideout, quickly liked the clip on X, which many fans took as subtle confirmation of the criticism. It was a moment that summed up how frustrated players and supporters felt after the season-ending loss.
Ohio State’s final game, a 24–14 College Football Playoff defeat to Miami, showcased the problem in full. Redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin came into the CFP having been sacked only six times during the entire regular season. Indiana equaled that nearly in one afternoon, getting to him five times. Miami then repeated the script: Sayin was taken down behind the line five more times.
Miami’s defensive front, led by standout All-Americans Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, controlled the game early and never slowed down. They collapsed pockets, destroyed timing, and forced Sayin into rushed throws. He finished at just 62.9% completions — a steep drop from the 77% mark he carried all season. One third-and-7 sack in Ohio State’s third offensive play set the tone for nonstop pressure.
“We knew we were playing against a good front,” OSU offensive line coach Tyler Bowen told reporters afterward. “We prepared, planned for that front. And we just did not execute well early. Overall, as a group, we didn’t play well enough to win the game.”
There were brief flashes of life. After Miami’s opening touchdown, Ohio State answered with a 59-yard bomb to Jeremiah Smith. But just two plays later, Hurricanes defensive back Keionte Scott jumped a screen and returned it 72 yards for a score. From there, Miami’s edge rushers and interior linemen dictated the entire chess match. Missed blocks, delayed footwork, blown edges, and weak run support kept OSU on its heels.
Injuries were a factor, but Bowen refused to point fingers. Right guard Tegra Tshabola was ruled out before kickoff, Gabe Vansickle struggled against Indiana the week prior, and left tackle Austin Siereveld played through a visible leg issue before being replaced by Ian Moore. Even so, Bowen stood firm on the team’s philosophy.
He explained that the team approaches injuries with a “next man up” mindset. He also praised Austin for gutting it out despite his condition, saying he pushed through as long as possible and earned his respect.
Looking ahead, Ohio State still has reasons to feel optimistic. The offensive line room is expected to return up to eight players in 2026 who have remaining eligibility. And while Bowen took over for Justin Frye only last offseason — and has just three years of O-line coaching experience — the staff believes the unit will grow with him.
Ryan Day will enter 2026 seeking his second national title, and if Ohio State regains the dominance it showed in 2024, this year’s growing pains may eventually look like a stepping stone rather than a setback. For now, though, Meyer and Smith’s message is hard to ignore: championships still start in the trenches.
What did Urban Meyer say about Ohio State’s offensive line?
Urban Meyer stated that Ohio State got dominated at the line of scrimmage during its final two games, pointing to consistent struggles in protecting the quarterback and controlling trenches.
Why did Jeremiah Smith’s reaction get attention?
Jeremiah Smith liked a social media clip of Urban Meyer making those comments, which fans saw as support for the criticism of Ohio State’s offensive line performance.
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Urban Meyer, Jeremiah Smith Call Out OSU’s Trenches