No. 2 Ohio State suffered a stunning 30-18 loss to USC, dropping the Buckeyes to 6-2 and marking the first time since 2011 that the program has recorded two losses before November. The defeat is only the second unranked loss of Ryan Day's tenure, following a loss to Michigan in 2024. The injury to starting quarterback Julian Sayin, sustained in the second half of a win over No. 5 Indiana, looms over the team's immediate future.
CFP Hopes Dim
Despite the setback, Ohio State remains in the College Football Playoff conversation thanks to quality victories over No. 14 Iowa and No. 5 Indiana. Upcoming matchups against Oregon and No. 20 Northwestern offer chances to bolster the resume, but the Buckeyes are now firmly on the bubble. Projections suggest an 11-2 record and a 7-seed in the playoff, contingent on a loss in the Big Ten championship game against an undefeated UCLA squad.
Quarterback Uncertainty
With Sayin likely out for the season, true freshman Luke Fahey earned the starting nod over highly touted recruit Tavien St. Clair. Fahey struggled against USC, failing to surpass 150 passing yards until late in the fourth quarter. St. Clair possesses a more impressive physical profile but faces questions about his familiarity with the offense after playing at a smaller high school in Bellefontaine, Ohio. Day would be wise to open a genuine competition between the two.
Defensive Concerns
Ohio State's defense, a mainstay over the past three seasons, faltered against USC. One week after holding the Trojans to seven points, the Buckeyes allowed 30 points and multiple breakdowns in the passing game. USC wide receiver Trent Mosley scored on a 69-yard touchdown on the second play, and tight end Mark Bowman added a 70-yard catch-and-run. The pass rush was largely ineffective, raising concerns as the program continues to send top talent to the NFL.
Heisman Contender Impact
Star receiver Jeremiah Smith managed 10 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown, but his yards per reception plummeted from a season average of 19.0 to just 8.3 with Fahey under center. While Smith remains productive, his downfield threat is diminished, potentially affecting his Heisman Trophy candidacy.
Day's Coaching Test
Two years ago, Day responded to an unranked loss to Michigan by guiding Ohio State to a national championship. This time, the roster ranks No. 5 in the 247Sports Talent Composite, its lowest since the metric's inception, and lacks a single player outside Smith in the top 50 of NFL Draft prospect rankings. Critics have long questioned whether Day was "born on third base"; the coming weeks will reveal if he can elevate a deficient roster.
