Ohio State’s victory over Indiana deserves to be celebrated. Beating the defending national champion Hoosiers was an important accomplishment for the Buckeyes, but the celebration has quickly given way to a wave of questions that could define the remainder of their season.

The most pressing among them is the health of quarterback Julian Sayin, who is expected to miss an “indefinite” amount of time. With USC looming on the schedule, Ohio State must now determine who will take over the offense and whether the Buckeyes can continue their championship pursuit without their starting quarterback.

The timing of Sayin’s injury could have been much worse. Ohio State enters its bye week with additional time to evaluate its options, prepare a replacement and establish confidence in whichever quarterback earns the starting job. Still, the uncertainty surrounding the position has created plenty of discussion among Buckeye fans.

The Quarterback Question

With Sayin sidelined, attention has shifted to true freshman Luke Fahey and Sophomore Tavien St. Clair. Both represent intriguing options, but Fahey appears to have the inside track based on his role throughout the season.

The 5-foot-11 Fahey has consistently been the first quarterback called upon when Sayin has left games. That trend continued against Indiana, when Fahey entered the game and handled pivotal snaps against one of the nation's top programs.

His experience in those situations could give him an advantage as Ohio State prepares for USC. While Fahey has not been asked to carry the offense for an extended stretch, he has at least experienced the pressure of stepping onto the field when the stakes are high.

St. Clair, meanwhile, presents a different kind of possibility. A former five-star recruit standing at 6-foot-4 who was ranked among the nation's top quarterback prospects, St. Clair arrived in Columbus with considerable expectations and was the presumed backup to Sayin throughout Summer camp. His talent is undeniable, but opportunities to demonstrate what he can do in meaningful game situations have been limited.

That leaves Ohio State with a difficult decision. Should head coach Ryan Day lean on the freshman who has already seen the field in critical moments with physical limitations, or turn to St. Clair and his highly touted potential?

Day has yet to announce a starter for the USC game, emphasizing that the quarterback who is best prepared to lead the offense will play. That approach makes sense, but it also leaves fans wondering when St. Clair will receive a meaningful opportunity to prove himself.

Fahey's recent trend of getting in games before St. Clair gives him an early advantage, but the next two weeks will be critical in determining whether that advantage is enough to secure the starting job.

A Defense Showing Signs of Growth

Although the quarterback situation understandably dominates the conversation, Ohio State's defensive performance against Indiana offered plenty of reasons for optimism.

The Buckeyes were considerably better against the run, showing improved discipline and physicality against a Hoosiers offense capable of creating problems in multiple ways. Ohio State also benefited from some inaccurate throws by Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover, but the defense deserves credit for capitalizing on those mistakes and getting off the field when it needed to.

Indiana still found ways to make plays through the air, with Charlie Becker continuing to demonstrate his ability to challenge opposing secondaries. However, those moments did not overshadow what was otherwise an encouraging performance from the Buckeyes' defense.

Perhaps most importantly, Ohio State showed an ability to respond when challenged. The defense did not need to be perfect to make a difference, and its improvement against Indiana could prove significant as the schedule moves forward.

Freshman Jay Timmons has also been a bright spot. His impressive first season has offered a glimpse of what he could become in Columbus, and his continued development should be an important part of Ohio State's defensive outlook. With more experience and opportunities ahead, Timmons has the potential to grow into an all-American caliber player for the Buckeyes.

Improvements need to be made at corner. Cam Calhoun was beaten badly on the ball that would have put the Hoosiers ahead late, and barring the mental lapse from Wide Receiver Nick Marsh, Ohio State fans would be singing a very different song about this season.

The game against the Hoosiers was a positive overall for the Scarlet and Grey, with some areas to improve being highlighted in pressure moments. The Defense is trending in the right direction.

The Jeremiah Smith Advantage

One of the biggest advantages Ohio State has while navigating its quarterback uncertainty is the talent surrounding the position.

Among those weapons is wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, whose ability to change a game with a single touch gives the Buckeyes a valuable safety net. Smith's presence can make life easier for any quarterback, particularly one making his first start.

Ohio State does not need its next quarterback to immediately replicate everything Sayin brings to the offense. Instead, the priority should be making smart decisions, protecting the football and getting the ball into the hands of the team's most dangerous playmakers.

Smith provides a matchup problem for virtually any defense, and his ability to win contested catches, create separation, and turn short completions into explosive plays could help ease the transition.

That does not mean the Buckeyes can simply throw the ball in Smith's direction and expect everything to work. Offensive line play, pass protection, the running game and sound quarterback decisions will remain essential. Still, having a receiver of Smith's caliber is an enormous advantage for a team preparing to make a potentially significant change under center.

If Fahey or St. Clair can manage the offense effectively and avoid costly mistakes, Ohio State should have enough talent around the quarterback to remain dangerous.

Two Weeks to Find the Answer

For all the concern surrounding Sayin's injury, the bye week offers Ohio State a valuable opportunity to regroup.

Rather than making a sudden change with limited preparation, the Buckeyes have additional time to evaluate Fahey and St. Clair, determine which quarterback best understands the offense and prepare that player for the challenges USC will present.

The coaching staff must also use this time to adjust the offensive game plan to fit its quarterback's strengths. A young replacement may need more help through the running game, shorter throws, and simplified reads while gaining confidence in a starting role.

There is no guarantee that the transition will be seamless. Replacing a starting quarterback in the middle of a championship-caliber season is never an easy task, particularly when the competition is at its highest.

Ohio State faces USC, Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan to conclude the season.

But Ohio State has the talent, coaching, and time to give itself a chance.

The bigger question is how much the offense will change without Sayin and whether the Buckeyes can maintain the consistency that has helped establish them among the nation's elite teams.

Can Ohio State Win Without Sayin?

The Indiana victory was an accomplishment worth celebrating, but it also marked the beginning of a new challenge for the Buckeyes.

Ohio State's defense appears to be trending in the right direction, Jeremiah Smith remains one of the nation's most dangerous offensive weapons, and the bye week provides an opportunity for the coaching staff to prepare its next quarterback.

Those are significant positives.

Still, the difference between competing for a championship and falling short often comes down to how a team handles adversity. The Buckeyes must now prove they can overcome the loss of their starting quarterback without allowing uncertainty at the position to derail their season.

Fahey appears to be the early favorite because of his experience in meaningful game situations, but St. Clair should not be counted out. The next two weeks will help determine who is best equipped to lead the offense against USC and beyond.

Sayin's absence creates legitimate concerns, but it does not automatically end Ohio State's championship hopes.

Now comes the real test: Can the Buckeyes maintain their momentum, trust their next quarterback and continue winning when the season becomes even more demanding?

The bye week gives them time to find out. The USC game will begin to provide the answer.