Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin will miss several weeks with a shoulder injury suffered in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 19-15 win over Indiana, a development that could shake up the College Football Playoff race and create an unexpected opening for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Sayin, a 21-year-old junior, was sacked by Indiana defensive lineman Mario Landino in the fourth quarter in Bloomington. He fumbled on the play, landed hard, and left favoring his right arm. He returned from the locker room with his arm in a sling, and head coach Ryan Day confirmed afterward that Sayin is expected to miss several weeks, according to Fox News. ESPN reported Day described the injury as being to Sayin's throwing shoulder.
True freshman Luke Fahey takes over in Columbus
Day said true freshman Luke Fahey will step in as the starter. Fahey went 0-for-2 passing after replacing Sayin against Indiana, though he drew a penalty that extended a Buckeyes drive.
Day backed his young quarterback while acknowledging the offense will look different.
We'll regroup. We've got a good team. When Luke's in there, we just may need to do things just a little bit differently, but the bye week gives us a chance to regroup on that and put our heads together.
The Buckeyes have a bye week before a road trip to face No. 16 USC at the Los Angeles Coliseum. A first career start on the road, in front of a sold-out crowd, against a team fighting to reach the playoff for the first time under Lincoln Riley, is a steep test for any freshman.
A brutal stretch of the schedule
The schedule only gets harder from there. Ohio State hosts Oregon, welcomes ranked Northwestern, travels to Nebraska, and closes the regular season against Michigan in The Game. If Sayin cannot return quickly, the Buckeyes could find themselves on the wrong side of the top 12.
The stakes for USC alone are enormous. The Trojans sit on the playoff bubble, and wins over Wisconsin and a Fahey-led Ohio State could push them into the top 10, according to Fox News.
Why this matters for Iowa fans
Here is where it gets interesting for readers in the Hawkeye State. Iowa climbed to No. 15 in the Week 8 AP Top 25 after a chaotic week seven that saw Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and Notre Dame all go down, a shakeup we covered in College Football Chaos: Texas, Alabama, Georgia All Fall in Historic Week 7.
The Hawkeyes' remaining schedule is relatively favorable compared to the gauntlet facing other top programs in the Big Ten and SEC. If Ohio State stumbles against USC or Oregon with a true freshman under center, a spot in the 12-team field could open up for Iowa, which rose to No. 15 in the latest AP poll.
That path becomes even clearer if a slip-up against the Trojans drops the Buckeyes out of the top 12, potentially allowing more Big Ten programs to climb into contention.
What is still possible for Ohio State
Nothing is decided yet. Nearly half the season remains, and Ohio State could still win in Los Angeles even with a backup, given USC's history of falling short in big games under Riley. Sayin could also return by early November, keeping the Buckeyes on track for the Big Ten Championship Game.
Still, the variables have multiplied. Yahoo Sports noted the injury could also affect the Heisman race for star receiver Jeremiah Smith, who has 52 receptions for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.
In a season where ranked teams are losing every week, Ohio State now faces USC and Oregon with a true freshman quarterback. That is bad news for the Buckeyes, and potentially very good news for everyone else in the playoff hunt, including Iowa.
Frequently asked questions
How long will Julian Sayin be out?
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said Sayin will miss several weeks with a shoulder injury, but did not give a specific timeline for his return.
Who replaces Sayin at quarterback for Ohio State?
True freshman Luke Fahey takes over as the Buckeyes' starter. He saw limited action against Indiana, going 0-for-2 passing.
Could Sayin's injury help Iowa make the playoff?
Possibly. If Ohio State loses games with its backup quarterback, the Buckeyes could fall out of the top 12, opening a spot that Iowa's favorable closing schedule could allow the Hawkeyes to claim.