It's the middle of November, and for the first time all season, the 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes showed that they are mortal. Until Saturday, the Buckeyes had been rolling through their opponents with relative ease, but this week, the main story was injuries.

Two hours before kickoff, it was announced that two of the most important Buckeyes were on the injury report. Carnell Tate was not going to play, while Jeremiah Smith was listed as questionable.

The dynamic Buckeye wideout went through warmups and felt good enough to give it a shot. 

The reality is that Smith's 70 percent is still better than just about every other player's 100. He clearly was not right, but between the whistles, he was still making incredible plays, including an amazing one-handed catch up the Ohio State sideline.

Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) on X Only one hand needed for the best wide receiver in America 🗣️ @Jermiah_Smith1 | #GoBucks

Smith was only able to go for the first three drives, where he nabbed four balls for 40 yards. Then, he dropped his helmet and wrapped a towel over his head, and began to limp up and down the sideline.

Late in the second quarter, Buckeye quarterback Julian Sayin also found himself in the injury tent. On a play-action bootleg, Sayin was out of the pocket, and, after releasing the pass, he was pushed by a UCLA defender. On his way to the ground, he rolled his ankle. Following his injury, he really didn't look the same.

A measly 5-for-10 for just 37 yards, Sayin's second-half struggles were partially due to injury and also the fact that his two superhuman receivers were not at his disposal.

While the top players for the Buckeyes were playing through pain, their running back trio picked them up in a massive way. Ohio State's backfield of Bo Jackson, Isaiah West, and James Peoples was incredible on the night.

Combined, they finished with 29 carries for 215 yards and four touchdowns. Each back had a score, but Jackson was definitely the lead back. He carried the ball 15 times for 112 yards and a touchdown, including a long run of 32 yards.

Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) on X PEOPLES HURDLES FOR THE HOUSE CALL 😳

Jackson is proving to this team that he can be RB1.

The Ohio State defense was, again, the real hero of the game, though. This group is the great equalizer for the scarlet and gray. It didn't matter that the Buckeyes were banged up offensively because they showed up -- and showed up in a big way. 

Through UCLA's first seven drives, the Bruins tallied just 65 total yards and only two first downs. That run spanned from the start of the game to midway through the third quarter. It was a total suffocation of the Bruins' offense, and the Buckeyes' defense steadied the ship.

While Ohio State cruised to a massive victory, some flaws were identified. Saturday's game showed that this team goes as its wide receivers go, and the top priority needs to be getting Tate and Smith back to full health.

Ohio State Pregame Show: Buckeyes Down Two Key Players Against UCLA The Ohio State Buckeyes and UCLA Bruins square off inside the Horseshoe on Saturday night. Two hours prior to kickoff the Buckeyes announced that their two s...

Next up for the Buckeyes is their final home game of the season against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The time of the game is yet to be released, but it will be the Buckeyes' final tune-up before the next edition of "The Game." 

On a day in college football filled with chaos, the Ohio State Buckeyes comfortably moved to a perfect 10-0. They will remain at the top of the polls with just two weeks remaining.