This Week 10 clash between the Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus? Yeah, it’s not the preseason #1 versus #2 showdown everyone circled in August. Not even close.
The Shifting Landscape of a Once-Anticipated Matchup
Back then, everyone thought this would be THE game of the season. Now, Oregon’s rolling into town unranked with a 5-3 record, and Ohio State, sitting at No. 11 with a 6-2 record, just dropped their second game last week. The Ducks’ College Football Playoff chances are super slim. For Ohio State, while they’ve got two losses, they don’t necessarily have to win out to stay in the hunt. It’s wild how much has flipped, but one thing’s for sure: the talent on both rosters is still absolutely undeniable.
Buckeyes Beyond the Rankings
Don’t let those two losses fool you, Ohio State is still loaded, top to bottom. Their defense reloads every single year, it’s just what they do. And then there’s Jeremiah Smith. Seriously, do I even need to say it? The dude is the consensus top player in college football, plain and simple. We all saw it during his College Football Playoff run as a true freshman. He’s a game-wrecker.
The New Man Under Center and the Workhorse Back
The big question mark, the “wart” as they say, is at quarterback. Starter Julian Sayin got hit with a throwing arm injury. That pushed true freshman, three-star Luke Fahey, right into the fire. And you know what? He showed out in his first career start against USC. He took over the backup job from a 2025 five-star guy, Tavien St. Clair, which tells you something right there. Against the Trojans, Fahey was solid, hitting 21-of-38 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown, no turnovers. Yeah, they settled for four field goals and struggled to finish drives, but the kid showed flashes of that dual-threat ability he’s got. He’s 5-foot-11, 206 pounds, and drops back deep to give himself a lane over the linemen. Maybe not the strongest arm, but his accuracy and anticipation, traits he was lauded for in high school, were definitely on display versus USC.
Then there’s Bo Jackson in the backfield. He was the bell cow back in 2025 as a true freshman, and he’s right back in that role this year. His yards per carry are down a bit, from 6.1 to 5.0, but that’s a reflection of the overall running game struggling, not just him. This guy is a beast to bring down, using his 6-foot, 218-pound frame to just bounce off tacklers. He’s got that combo of physicality and nimbleness that’s pretty rare for a bigger back, honestly reminds you a bit of Oregon’s Jordon Davison.
So, yeah, this isn’t the #1 vs #2 showdown we thought, but it’s still a massive game. Oregon heads to Columbus for kickoff at 12:30 p.m. PT on Saturday. Ohio State has its sights set on staying in the playoff hunt, and all eyes will be on Fahey to see if he can take the next step and lead this loaded roster. It’s gonna be a wild one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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