The Ohio State football program isn't used to being in the situation they find themselves now.
In the Ryan Day era, the Ohio State Buckeyes have not suffered two losses this early in the season. In fact, it has been rare that the Buckeyes have had two losses in a single year. Of course, that doesn't mean that the season is over. In fact, one Buckeye great thinks they still have a shot at a title.
Cris Carter thinks that Ohio State can still win the rest of its games
Carter believes that Ohio State still has what it takes to win the rest of its scheduled games. He said so on Fully Loaded. If the Buckeyes accomplish that, they would still make the College Football Playoff.
"I think Ohio State's going to win the rest of their games. They're going to finish 10-2. They're going to go to the Big Ten Championship. They'll be playing the undefeated UCLA, and then Ohio State gets a chance to be one of the top four seeds in the College Football Playoff."
Carter has a lot of faith that the Buckeyes are going to get the defense fixed. That's the big problem that is facing the team, because they need the defense to help Luke Fahey along. Even if Fahey ends up playing better than he did on Saturday night in Los Angeles, he is still inexperienced.
Having Ohio State turn into the team that they were always supposed to be won't be easy without Sayin. Carter still thinks that the Buckeyes have a shot to turn Fahey into a really good quarterback this season.
"Also, this young quarterback, in another month, he's going to be a different guy. I mean, he threw for 200 yards and didn't have a whole bunch of help."
Ohio State needs the coaches to be the shining stars of the program
The Buckeyes have to have their coaches show how good they are at their jobs. This game against Oregon is a great start to help the CFP Committee realize how good this team can still be. Carter believes that this team should still have national championship aspirations.
Last week was perhaps the second-worst loss Ohio State has had under Ryan Day as the head coach. The worst loss was by far the 2024 game against TTUN. After that loss, the team was able to rally and win a national championship. Day needs to have more of the same this year.
Another loss would start an avalanche of questions that this program might not be ready to answer. What happens to the assistant coaches? Will Julian Sayin come back? Who will be the starting quarterback next year? All of those questions will pop up if this team loses again.
Day needs to prove that he is one of the best coaches in college football right now. He failed to do that in LA. At home, against a backup quarterback, Day has a much better shot to prove his worth.
Add us as a preferred source on Google