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Bo Jackson Ohio State news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Bo Jackson rushed for 83 yards in Ohio State's Sept. 5 opener.
His carries matter because Ohio State's offense leans on him and Ja'Kobi Jackson.
Background
Bo Jackson averaged 83.8 rushing yards per game as a true freshman in 2025 and ran for 1,090 yards last season, per CBS Sports. In Ohio State's 2026 opener against Ball State he and Ja'Kobi Jackson each rushed for 83 yards, with Jackson breaking a 65-yard touchdown, as the Buckeyes piled up 671 total yards. Ohio State is ranked No. 1 and travels to face Texas on Sept. 12, a game drawing heavy betting and media attention around both teams' skill players.
How it unfolded
- Sep 5, 2026Ohio State beat Ball State; Bo Jackson rushed for 83 yards including a 65-yard touchdown, Ja'Kobi Jackson also ran for 83, and OSU finished with 237 rushing yards and 671 total yards.
- Sep 10, 2026A depth chart projection for the Texas game was published; Ohio State is ranked No. 1 and travels to face Texas on Sept. 12.
- Sep 12, 2026Ohio State vs. Texas is scheduled, with Bo Jackson's PrizePicks rushing yards line listed at 56.5 and Arch Manning's pass yards line at 198.5.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- ESPN's betting preview said Ohio State has two backs in Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson capable of creating after contact against a Texas defense that struggled tackling.
- Analysts
- cleveland.com's Jimmy Watkins wrote that Jeremiah Smith will be the second-most important player on the field against Texas and that Smith needs running back Bo Jackson's help closing.
- Analysts
- PrizePicks set Bo Jackson's rushing yards line at 56.5 for the Texas game, below his 83-yard opener and his 83.8 yards-per-game freshman average.