While the play on the field is hardly competitive for the Ohio State Buckeyes, the talk of the town in Columbus is how quarterback Julian Sayin or wide receiver Jeremiah Smith can win the prestigious Heisman Trophy.

The national conversation every week, specific to Sayin, is simply that he is surrounded by the best players in college football. His two best wide receivers are likely the best receivers in the entire country, and every ball he throws at those two seemingly is hauled in for a catch. 

It's like clockwork every week that Sayin's near-flawless performances are credited to his receivers and not to the young gunslinger. 

For Smith, his run at the Heisman Trophy seems to be a long shot as his name continues to fade in the national conversation. If this award was actually for the best player in the country, he would be in first place. It has largely become a quarterback award, so Smith is fighting an uphill battle regardless.

Saturday night in Columbus against UCLA should have a direct impact on both of Ohio State's candidates.

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For Sayin, it won't be a positive reaction.

The redshirt freshman's performance on Saturday night left a lot to be desired after Smith left the game late in the second quarter. During his time in the contest, Sayin completed 11 of his 12 pass attempts while leading three touchdown drives. He looked comfortable and was distributing the football with ease.

Then, Smith left the game, and everything changed for Sayin.

Ohio State's newest starting quarterback finished the game completing 12 of his 21 attempts, showing that he is human. He made a couple of very uncharacteristically inaccurate throws, and more importantly, some of the 50-50 throws that Buckeyes did not work without Tate and Smith.

The major takeaway is that Sayin's game comes back to earth when he is down his top two guys.

For Smith, the reaction should be totally different. 

Ohio State is regarded as the best team and likely the best offense in all of college football, and the key to the success is all due the superhuman receiver. When he was in the game, the Buckeyes' offense was operating smoothly and went up and down the field.

Statistically, he was fine, just 4 catches for 40 yards in a quarter and a half with one of the catches being a highlight reel, one-hander up the left sideline.

FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) on X JEREMIAH SMITH ONLY NEEDS ONE HAND 😱 📺:NBC @OhioStateFB

When Smith left the game, the Buckeyes' offense took a major hit. It was much harder for them to operate; they had to punt a couple of times, and most importantly, the UCLA defense wasn't scared of the Buckeyes' offense. 

If the Heisman Trophy voters view the trophy as an award for the value that a player brings to the table, then Smith should easily run away with the trophy. 

The only issue for Smith is that his injury may be more significant than we are being led to believe. If he can go in the final two regular-season games and the Big Ten Championship game, then he should have a legit shot at crown. 

Time will tell how the stats shake out, but there was both up and down movement for the Buckeyes'  Heisman chances.