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 the 2024 loss to Michigan.
Quarterback uncertainty
Starting quarterback Julian Sayin was injured in the second half of a win over No. 5 Indiana, leaving the offense in the hands of true freshman Luke Fahey. Fahey struggled against USC, failing to reach 150 passing yards until late in the fourth quarter. Highly touted recruit Tavien St. Clair remains an option, but his familiarity with the offense is questioned after transferring from a smaller high school program.
Defensive regression
Ohio State's defense, a strength over the past three seasons, allowed 30 points and multiple big plays. USC's 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 against a Trojans offense that had struggled previously.
Playoff outlook
Despite the loss, Ohio State remains in the College Football Playoff conversation thanks to quality wins over No. 14 Iowa and No. 5 Indiana. Upcoming games against Oregon and No. 20 Northwestern offer chances to bolster the resume, but another loss would likely eliminate the Buckeyes. Current projections suggest a 7-seed with an 11-2 record and a potential Big Ten championship game loss to undefeated UCLA.
Heisman hopes for Jeremiah Smith
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught 10 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown, but his yards per reception dropped from a season average of 19.0 to 8.3 with Fahey under center. The inconsistency at quarterback threatens to limit Smith's production down the stretch.
Questions now surround whether Day can replicate his 2022 turnaround after an unranked loss to Michigan. Ohio State's talent composite ranking has fallen to No. 5, its lowest since the metric began, and the roster lacks a top-50 NFL draft prospect outside of Smith.
