AUSTIN, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 12: Ja'kobi Jackson #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs the ball for a touchdown against Justin Cryer #28 of the Texas Longhorns during the first quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 12, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 12: Ja'kobi Jackson #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs the ball for a touchdown against Justin Cryer #28 of the Texas Longhorns during the first quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 12, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) Getty

The Ohio State Buckeyes have relied this season upon two running backs with the last name Jackson.

But when they play Indiana on Saturday in Bloomington in one of the biggest games the Hoosiers have ever played, they won’t have their usual tandem of Bo Jackson and Ja’Kobi Jackson, no relation.

Is Bo Jackson Playing Today?

Bo Jackson is active and healthy on Saturday, yes.

The Buckeyes didn’t go to the run very early in the game, though, so it was a slow start.

Jackson broke out as a true freshman last year and is having a decent follow-up season as a sophomore.

Why Isn’t Ja’Kobi Jackson Playing Today?

Ja’Kobi Jackson is out on Saturday against Indiana due to an injury.

This Jackson had started Ohio State’s last two games, but he was limping after their win over Maryland on Saturday.

Ohio State was out ahead of his, ruling out Ja’Kobi on their Wednesday injury report.

This season, Ja’Kobi has a team-high six rushing touchdowns to go with 354 yards on 59 runs.

Bo has run for 460 yards and four TDs.

“It is going to be a huge challenge,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said this week about running against Indiana. “They do an excellent job up front on defense. Their defensive line is one of the biggest challenges we’ll have all season, so we’ve got to have a great week of preparation.”

Ohio State RB Depth Chart

The Buckeyes will have Bo Jackson getting a lion’s share of the work on Saturday at Indiana.

They’ll have to give someone else some work, though, and it seems like it’ll have to be Legend Bey.

Bey has run 12 times for 50 yards on the season entering Saturday.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

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Source: Yahoo Sports