Ohio State opened the season ranked No. 1, but its latest loss showed why preseason expectations don’t decide games. The Buckeyes, ranked 12th in the College Football Playoff standings, fell 41-28 to No. 23 Oregon after entering as touchdown favorites. It was their second defeat in two weeks.
Ohio State jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, despite playing without Julian Sayin. Then Oregon found its footing and rattled off 38 unanswered points.
The turning point came late in the first half. With about two and a half minutes left, Ohio State appeared set to take at least a 14-3 lead into the break. Oregon instead faked a punt on fourth-and-10, scored five plays later, and cut the margin to four. Luke Fahey then threw an interception near midfield, and the Ducks turned it into a 17-14 halftime lead.
Oregon carried that momentum into the second half. Dierre Hill Jr. broke free for a 48-yard touchdown, and Ohio State struggled to respond. The Buckeyes went three-and-out on their first possession after halftime, then turned the ball over on downs on each of their next four drives. Oregon added two more touchdowns to stretch its lead to 38-14.
Jeremiah Smith caught a 57-yard pass late in the game, finishing with seven receptions for 133 yards. He had been held to four catches through three quarters, including three in the first half. The loss was a painful one for the receiver, whose Heisman hopes may have taken a hit.
Ohio State was already the first team left out of the initial playoff rankings. After this defeat, its path to the postseason looks considerably tougher.
The Buckeyes are coming off a 30-18 loss to USC, suffered last week while they were ranked No. 2 in the AP poll. They are now 0-2 without Sayin, who entered the season as a Heisman contender in many people’s eyes.
Nine Oregon players caught passes from Dylan Raiola, who completed 25 of 40 attempts for 257 yards and two touchdowns. Dakorien Moore and Brandon Smith combined for 10 catches, 108 yards and a touchdown apiece. Hill added two scores on 13 carries for 75 yards.
Ohio State hosts Northwestern next week, then travels to Nebraska before closing its regular season at home against Michigan. Oregon, meanwhile, will finish with games against Michigan, Michigan State and Washington as it looks to work its way into the playoff picture.
