Ohio State Faces Challenges After Upset Loss to USC

Ohio State's football team suffered a significant setback with a 30-18 defeat to USC, dropping their record to 6-2 and marking the first time since 2011 that the Buckeyes have recorded two losses before November. This loss is only the second unranked defeat under head coach Ryan Day, previously occurring against Michigan in 2024.

The injury to starting quarterback Julian Sayin, who was hurt during a previous game against Indiana, has compounded the team's struggles. In his absence, Ohio State has turned to true freshman Luke Fahey, who has shown inconsistency, particularly in downfield passing. Although Fahey impressed in practice, he failed to exceed 150 passing yards until late in the fourth quarter. Questions remain about the readiness of national top-five recruit Tavien St. Clair, who has yet to take the field.

Despite the loss, Ohio State remains in contention for the College Football Playoff, bolstered by earlier victories over ranked teams. However, their position is precarious; another loss could eliminate them from playoff consideration. CBS Sports currently projects the Buckeyes as the seventh seed with a potential 11-2 record.

Defensively, Ohio State's performance against USC raised alarms, as they allowed 30 points after previously holding the Trojans to just seven. The defense, which has been a strong point in recent seasons, struggled with breakdowns in coverage and pass rush, leading to significant plays by USC receivers.

Junior receiver Jeremiah Smith managed to maintain some offensive production, catching 10 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown, although his average yards per reception dropped significantly with Fahey at quarterback. As the team navigates these challenges, the effectiveness of coach Ryan Day in adapting to a less talented roster will be closely scrutinized.