5 things we learned from Ohio State football's win over UCLA on Saturday night

Another college football Saturday on the banks of the Olentangy resulted in yet another victory for the No. 1-ranked Ohio State football team by a score of 48-10 over UCLA Saturday night.

To be fair, it was always going to be a steep climb for the Bruins to have any kind of chance at all when news broke of star quarterback Nico Iamaleava being held out of the game because of concussion protocol. That was a surprise, but the way the Buckeyes dominated was not.

After each Ohio State game, we like to reflect and pull out some takeaways from the game, and we're doing the same this week. We already know a lot about this team, but each game takes on its own personality and offers insights into things we either get to reiterate or find out for the first time.

Here are five things we think we learned during Ohio State football's dominating win over UCLA.

Yes, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate DO make a difference

JEREMIAH SMITH WHAT A GRAB ????

One-handed with ease ????‍???? pic.twitter.com/fBTmndP73m— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 16, 2025

Carnell Tate missed his second game in a row for reasons we are still waiting on. Surprisingly, when the availability report came out, Jeremiah Smith was listed as questionable as well. And while he played a little, he was clearly hampered by something with his lower body.

Once things were under control, Smith, too, was shelved, and it was clear that the timing and ability to make catches in traffic were a problem. As a result, the passing game didn't hum like it normally does, and we saw some frustration from both Ryan Day and Julian Sayin at times. Let's hope those two are healthy next week, and especially when the team goes up to Ann Arbor to play Michigan.

Bo Jackson continues to emerge

Bo Jackson got the King’s attention. That’s elite company. ???? pic.twitter.com/nBHxQLrdUE— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) November 16, 2025

At some point, maybe next week, Bo Jackson is going to be the clear No. 1 back with others spelling him when needed. He has the best blend of size, power, vision, and speed, and because of it, the running game is just so much better with him toting the rock.

He leads all backs in yards per carry and can be the answer to an Ohio State rushing attack that hasn't been as explosive as everyone thinks is needed. He was great again today, and now we wait to see when Day and staff wind him up and let him go for the run through the rest of the season that's hopefully coming.

Ohio State's man-to-man defense doesn't seem as solid as its other looks

Third TD of the season for @Masterkwazi and first of @lukeduncanQB's career! ????

Ohio State 41, UCLA 7
End of 3rd Quarter

????: NBC
????: https://t.co/W60dIgaIXd#GoBruinspic.twitter.com/nLhPGFuFXr— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) November 16, 2025

Yes, the game was already out of hand, but Ohio State went almost solely to a man-to-man defense later in the game, and UCLA was able to get some things done against it. I think there were also some substitutions made, but not wholesale.

The Bruins' passing attack was able to isolate mismatches and rub routes for efficient plays down the field that resulted in some opportunities to score. Maybe the Buckeyes weren't quite dialed in because of where the score was, but if other teams are looking at film, you can bet there will be an opportunity to replicate that success by future opponents that have better personnel.

Depth is there, but there is a noticeable drop off

.@mateen_bhaghani is ???????????????? from 32 yards for his 15th successful FG of the season.

Ohio State 41, UCLA 10
4th quarter – 8:49

????: NBC
????: https://t.co/W60dIgaIXd#GoBruinspic.twitter.com/st0pMUGZ2t— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) November 16, 2025

The rotation that we've seen on both sides of the ball makes sense, and it makes even more sense when you see how the level of play wasn't quite as stellar when some of the depth pieces started to get time later in the game. From the aforementioned timing and catches in traffic by the backup receivers, to some miscues and missed gap control and assignments on defense, we now know that -- as deep as this Ohio State team is -- there is some development still beyond the guys we've seen get a lot of time.

It's almost like the coaches know what they are doing with playing time or something, right?

Ohio State is one win away from a locked-in CFP appearance

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED ⁉️@LorenzoStyles_ | #GoBuckspic.twitter.com/vmkeRzMWZZ— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 16, 2025

With this win, you can bank on a win over Rutgers next week locking in a College Football Playoff appearance. Ohio State is now 10-0 and would be 11-0 with a win over the Scarlet Knights next week. If that plays out, then win or lose against Michigan, the Buckeyes are in the playoff.

Now, there are more goals out there, like a Big Ten title and another College Football Playoff national championship, but you can start to make travel plans if OSU takes care of business next week against Rutgers in the 'Shoe. There's no way a one-loss Ohio State team is going to be left out.

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State vs UCLA reaction: 5 things we learned from the game