​As preseason camp kicks off this week, Land-Grant Holy Land is diving into its final weekly theme for the off-season. This week focuses on making predictions that may be bold or simply questionable, and you can catch up on all Theme Week content here and all of our Bold Predictions articles here. One reality of the modern playoff era is a noticeably longer season for the most successful programs, a change with wide-ranging effects for the top teams.
There is, of course, the challenge of staying healthy through additional playoff games, which tend to be more physically demanding and high-stakes than the regular season due to the caliber of talent and the pressure to perform. There’s also a mental component—the intangible need to peak at the right moment to sustain success over a longer stretch. Then there are statistical consequences. When you measure by per-game statistics, adding games can dilute averages, making it harder to maintain numbers that felt achievable in the past given the tougher playoff competition.
Because of this, the odds of even the nation’s elite programs averaging 40 points per game across a season are lower than in previous eras. It’s not impossible, though. For example, Indiana posted 41.6 points per game during their 2025 National Championship run. Still, maintaining that pace becomes considerably tougher when facing a demanding schedule.
The rule change implemented in 2023, which keeps the clock running after a team first down except for the final two minutes of each half, further compresses the number of possessions teams have to score, adding another layer of difficulty.
The Buckeyes’ recent scoring trajectory illustrates the era’s challenges. They averaged 33.4 points per game in 2025 and 37.2 points per game on the way to the national title in 2024, the first year of the 12-team playoff system. That contrasts with 2022, when Ohio State went 11-1 in the regular season, fell in the Peach Bowl, yet averaged 44.2 points per game. Reaching a 40-point-per-game pace now demands exceptional efficiency and explosive play, especially given Ohio State’s 2026 schedule, which is among the toughest in college football, ranking eighth nationally. The Buckeyes face Texas, Indiana, and USC on the road, with home bouts against Illinois, Oregon, and Michigan.
Yet if any roster can meet the challenge, it’s this year’s Ohio State squad. Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith form one of the most explosive duos in college football, and together they possess the potential to deliver the numbers needed for a 40-point-per-game season. Sayin’s pinpoint accuracy and agile decision-making, paired with Smith’s rare talent, enable rapid strike capability that can offset extended clock management by generating scoring opportunities quickly. Even with the setback of Carnell Tate leaving for the NFL, Ohio State still has Brandon Inniss, the freshman sensation Chris Henry Jr., and LSU transfer (for broader SEO relevance)—all of whom can contribute meaningfully to the offense and help maintain a high scoring average despite the demanding schedule ahead.