No. 2 Ohio State just dropped a brutal 30-18 loss to unranked USC on Saturday night, and suddenly, their College Football Playoff dreams are looking real shaky. This isn’t just another loss; it’s the Buckeyes’ second L of the season, and it has absolutely obliterated their margin of error going forward. For a program that has finished in the final CFP ranking every single season since its inception, never lower than No. 7, this hits different. We’re talking about a team that would have made a 12-team field every single year, unlike even Alabama, who missed in 2019. Now, in the third season of an actual 12-team field, there’s a real shot they might not even get in. Talk about high stakes, right now!
Fahey’s Freshman Struggles and a Thin Resume
The loss to USC wasn’t exactly a shocker if you peel back the layers, even though Ohio State was favored by a touchdown. They were on the road with a true freshman, first-time starter at quarterback, Luke Fahey. And man, he looked every bit the part of a freshman figuring things out. Fahey overthrew open passes, panicked when pressured (and sometimes even when he *thought* he was pressured), and piled up presnap penalties. You can’t just “throw it to Jeremiah Smith” like it’s a video game, apparently. The scoreboard didn’t lie either: not nearly enough points. This was one of the uglier Ohio State performances in recent memory, no question. The analysts think he’ll improve, but will it be enough? Right now, that’s a huge question mark. When you look at their “better wins,” the 19-15 triumph over Indiana is solid, but the rest of their resume is looking a bit thin, especially compared to their usual standard.
Oregon Looms, and the Road Ahead Gets Gnarly
So, what’s next for the Buckeyes in their fight for survival? They’re back at home next week, but it’s no cakewalk. They’re facing an Oregon team that just found its stride, looking sharp in a 34-26 win over No. 20 Northwestern. Oregon’s quarterback, Dylan Raiola, was slinging it, throwing for 336 yards and 3 touchdowns. The explosive plays that had been missing for Oregon are suddenly back. Honestly, if Ohio State brings the same vibe they had against USC, it’s hard to see them getting past this version of Oregon. And even if they somehow pull that off, they still have to contend with Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan. This team is truly in survival mode, with every game from here on out essentially a playoff game for them. They’ve gotta find some answers, and fast, or this season’s historic playoff run for Ohio State could be over before it even begins.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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