Eric Boggs
Ohio State center Carson Hinzman knows the challenge awaiting the Buckeyes in Seattle, and he’s embracing it with confidence. Speaking with reporters this week, Hinzman highlighted both the talent he sees on the practice field and the preparation Ohio State has put in to face Washington’s disruptive defensive line.
Washington’s ability to create pressure without blitzing stands out to Hinzman, who sees the matchup as a test of one-on-one battles in the trenches. “It’s going to be a challenge of one-on-one blocks,” he said. “A lot of one-on-one block opportunities, which is great, obviously because we’ve had a lot of experience in it, but also because it’s going to be a great challenge for us and what we want to do this year. We need to be really dominant in that aspect.”
One of the biggest factors in Saturday’s game will be Husky Stadium’s atmosphere. Washington has won 22 straight at home, and Hinzman knows the Buckeyes will likely need to operate with a silent count. “I think it’s just communication, you know, poise in noise,” he said. “You hear all the stories. Obviously they’re 22 at home right now, so it’s going to be a really big challenge. But then again, we’ve had a lot of experience in playing in high-pressure situations. We’ve got a lot of veterans on our own line.”
That experience, Hinzman explained, has already proven valuable. “It just helps you not get rattled, you know what I mean, and for some guys, when it’s your first time in one of those loud environments, it’s difficult,” he said. “I mean, you lose one of your senses. People literally don’t realize, like, I could be from me to you, and I can’t hear anything, you know what I mean, so that’s difficult. But not only (do I) have that experience, but the other guys on the line have that experience as well. It builds a good trust connection that we’re like, all right, we got this.”
That trust will be especially important with freshman quarterback Julian Sayin making his first start in a road environment. Hinzman sees his role as critical in easing the transition. “I try to be as consistent as I can so that he can trust me,” Hinzman said. “Making sure we’re on the same page, making sure I’m getting the ball to him when he wants it. He has trust that we’re going to get our job done, we’re going to protect him. Because, like I said, a lot of one-on-one blocks, so we’re going to have to win our matchups and stuff like that this week, which is going to be a great challenge for us. We’re really super excited for it.”
Hinzman has also noticed Sayin’s growth as a leader over the first three games. “He’s been a lot better,” he said. “Like his vocality and stuff like that. I know (during) the Texas game, I went out there and I’m saying a couple words, you know, whatever for the guys. I’m like, all right, Jules, what you got? He’s like, I don’t know. But like now, I mean, you know, he’s getting in the circles. He’s getting fired up. You know, he’s definitely come out of his shell a little bit more. He’s obviously he’s a gunslinger. You know, he can play. Obviously, we have trust in what he does.”
For Hinzman, the relationship between a young quarterback and a veteran center is all about consistency and trust. “At the end of the day, you know, his word trumps all,” he said. “If we’re going to be wrong, we’re going to be wrong together, and hopefully that makes us right. So just being able to trust him and have him trust that we’re going to keep him safe is, you know, all that matters.”
As the Buckeyes prepare for one of the toughest environments in college football, Hinzman’s steady presence in the middle of the offensive line will be key. For him, it’s simple: preparation, trust, and belief in the work they’ve put in.
