Ohio State Drops in Week 10 Polls Following Loss to USC

Ohio State Drops in Week 10 Polls Following Loss to USC

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Ohio State's College Football Playoff prospects were severely impacted following their 30-18 loss to USC on October 17, 2026, which marked their second defeat of the season and raised concerns about quarterback injuries and defensive performance. The loss complicated their path to the Big Ten Championship and the playoff. Earlier, Ohio State had to adjust their quarterback lineup after starter Julian Sayin suffered a season-ending injury. True freshman Luke Fahey was credited with rapid development after coach Chad Johnson mistakenly gave him extensive offensive responsibilities during a recruiting meeting.

Fahey was then named the starting quarterback against USC, with Tavian St. Clair moving to backup for the remainder of the season. These changes and the challenging schedule ahead have put Ohio State's national championship hopes in jeopardy, as the team navigates the remainder of the 2026 season in Columbus, Ohio.

Actors

Luke Fahey Chad Johnson Ohio State Buckeyes University of Southern California (USC) Indiana Hoosiers Julian Sayin

Locations

Columbus, Ohio, United States Los Angeles, California, United States Mission Viejo, California, United States Indiana, United States

Articles

November 01, 2026
5 total
Ohio State Drops in Week 10 Polls Following Loss to USC
Ohio State Drops in Week 10 Polls Following Loss to USC

247Sports • 01 Nov 20:51

Ohio State's football team fell to No. 10 in the Coaches Poll and No. 11 in the AP Poll after a 30-18 loss to USC.

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Ohio State Faces Critical Challenges in College Football Playoff Race
Ohio State Faces Critical Challenges in College Football Playoff Race

CBS Sports • 01 Nov 15:28

Ohio State's recent loss to USC raises concerns about its chances of making the College Football Playoff, as the team navigates a challenging schedule ahead.

Credibility 77% Manip. 10% Center
Ohio State's Loss to USC Leaves Championship Hopes in Jeopardy
Ohio State's Loss to USC Leaves Championship Hopes in Jeopardy

247Sports • 01 Nov 14:19

Ohio State suffered a 30-18 defeat against USC, marking their second loss of the season and complicating their path to the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff.

Credibility 72% Manip. 10% Center
Ohio State Faces Uncertain Future After Loss to USC
Ohio State Faces Uncertain Future After Loss to USC

Yahoo Sports • 01 Nov 05:10

Ohio State's hopes for a successful season dimmed following a 30-18 defeat to USC, exacerbated by quarterback Julian Sayin's injury. With a challenging schedule ahead, the team's prospects for the College Football Playoff appear bleak.

Credibility 74% Manip. 12% Center
Ohio State Faces Challenges After Upset Loss to USC
Ohio State Faces Challenges After Upset Loss to USC

CBS Sports • 01 Nov 04:01

Ohio State's national championship hopes are in jeopardy following a 30-18 loss to USC, marking the team's second defeat this season and raising concerns about quarterback injuries and defensive performance.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center
October 31, 2026
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Ohio State backs up freshman quarterback Luke Fahey as Tavien St. Clair remains second-string
Ohio State backs up freshman quarterback Luke Fahey as Tavien St. Clair remains second-string

Cleveland.com • 31 Oct 20:50

Freshman Luke Fahey will start for Ohio State after Julian Sayin’s injury, while Tavian St. Clair moves to the backup role for the remainder of the 2026 season.

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October 30, 2026
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Luke Fahey poised to start for Ohio State against USC after Julian Sayin injury
Luke Fahey poised to start for Ohio State against USC after Julian Sayin injury

Cleveland.com • 30 Oct 10:00

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is expected to start true-freshman quarterback Luke Fahey against USC following Julian Sayin's season-ending injury, with the move reflecting past instances of freshman starters at the program.

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October 29, 2026
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Ohio State quarterback Luke Fahey credits a whiteboard error for his rapid development
Ohio State quarterback Luke Fahey credits a whiteboard error for his rapid development

Cleveland.com • 29 Oct 09:00

A mistaken play call during a USC recruiting meeting led coach Chad Johnson to give Luke Fahey extensive offensive responsibilities, helping him become Ohio State's backup quarterback and earn his first start after an injury to starter Julian Sayin.

Credibility 68% Manip. 8% Center

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