Ohio State’s College Football Playoff dreams are on the brink, with the No. 12 Buckeyes hosting No. 23 Oregon this Saturday in a game that could completely unravel their season. After dropping a 30-18 road loss to USC last week, Ohio State is searching for answers, and their backup quarterback is facing an Oregon team that suddenly looks dangerous.
Buckeyes Can’t Punch It In When It Counts
Here’s the brutal truth for Ohio State: they can move the ball, but they can’t finish. Against USC, the Buckeyes put up their best rushing performance in Big Ten play this season, averaging 4.74 yards per carry. Quarterback Luke Fahey, making his second start and first at home, even threw for 260 yards. But when it came to the red zone, things fell apart. Ohio State made four trips inside the 20-yard line against USC and walked away with a measly 13 points. Sound familiar? They also only managed 13 points on three red zone trips against Indiana, a game that nearly slipped away.
Fahey has to be sharper when it matters most, and that rushing attack needs to convert those big yards into six points, not three. With their CFP ranking at No. 12, they are literally the first team out of the expanded 12-team playoff, meaning every single drive, every single point, is critical. This isn’t just about winning, it’s about proving they belong, especially after losing their star quarterback for the season.
Ducks Find Life After OC Change, Ready to Salvage Their Season
While Ohio State struggles, Oregon is riding a wave of new energy. The Ducks, sitting at 5-3, already saw their playoff dreams snuffed out. But don’t sleep on them. They fired offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, and interim coordinator Jay Johnson immediately sparked the offense. Last week against Northwestern, Oregon had its best offensive performance since their win at USC earlier this season. Dylan Raiola had his best game as a starter, and suddenly, there’s a real belief in the locker room that they can go into “The Horseshoe” and pick up a massive road win.
This isn’t just a game for pride for Oregon. A win against a ranked Buckeyes team could absolutely salvage what’s been a frustrating, disappointing season for them. They’ve found their groove, and they’re coming to Columbus with nothing to lose.
This pivotal matchup kicks off Saturday, Nov. 7, at 3:30 p.m. ET from Ohio Stadium. You can catch all the action on CBS, CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports App, or streaming on Paramount+ Premium. The winner walks away feeling stabilized, knowing they’ve overcome the loss of their star quarterbacks. The loser? They’re left with hard questions and the cold realization that their biggest goals are officially out of reach. Get ready, because this one is going to be a battle.
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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