It’s the same old story from the Buckeye offense in big games
Ohio State came into the game rushing for about 153 yards a game and got 204 on the ground. They were throwing for about 323 yards per game and, with a freshman quarterback making his first start, got 260. Their total offense was 476, and they got 464.
Their turnovers on offense were one per game, and they had one against USC. Here’s where things went wrong. Ohio State was averaging 39.3 points per game and could only scrape together 18 points, scoring three touchdowns less than their average, in the 30-18 loss. Ohio State didn't do a lot of small things they could have to help themselves either.
What the offense needs to improve on
Exorcising demons. Ohio State retreating into its shell like some great turtle when getting inside the opponent’s 35-yard line has been a problem in the Ryan Day Era since the 2019 Fiesta Bowl. Red zone and near red zone field goals have been back-breaking to Ryan Day’s teams.
Three red zone field goals cost them the 2019 Fiesta Bowl. Two red zone field goals cost them the 2022 Peach Bowl. Against Oregon in 2024, a late near-red-zone field goal cost them that contest. The most infamous cases of this were the 2024 game against that team up north, where the Buckeyes settled for three red-zone field goal attempts and made only one in the defeat.
This was equaled last year in the 2025 Big Ten Championship game when, in four red zone possessions, Ohio State was held to 10 points again, this time missing one of two field goals. The Buckeyes again settled for two red zone field goals and four field goal attempts in their loss at Texas earlier this year.
But wait, there’s more. Last year, in the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State’s second-half slowness sunk them. They had the ball only 11:14 and got off only 22 plays and failed to come back. Worse, it was a waste of some of the best defensive talent ever assembled by the team.
Just over 30 seconds per play crashed a good team. Ohio State’s slowness bit them again in this game. Ohio State possessed the ball for 19:38 in the second half of the game and got nine points out of it on 45 plays. A shade over 26 seconds per play. Even when the clock became a premium commodity down 27-9 in the fourth quarter, Ohio State couldn’t make themselves hurry.
In their defense, Ryan Day said he didn’t want to ask Fahey to have to do that. It’s smart to want to not have to ask that of your freshman quarterback. It’s an inexcusable mistake not to realize that down 27-9, you no longer have the choice and you must ask that of him. A coach who has won as many games as Day has should have known that.
Offensive stat of the game
Ohio State had more total yards, more yards rushing, more yards passing, more first downs, and more time possessing the football than USC. They were even in turnovers. They still lost by two touchdowns. And those aren’t even the worst of it. That dubious distinction goes to Ohio State’s offense in and near the red zone.
Ohio State had seven possessions get inside the USC 32-yard line and scored only a single touchdown. They fumbled once, turned the ball over on downs with less than a minute in the final quarter, and settled for FOUR field goals and a paltry 18 points. That’s just over 2.5 points per trip inside the USC 32-yard line. When you factor in that USC’s defenses have been nothing less than horrific in the Lincoln Riley Era, it’s nothing less than disgusting.
Every team USC has played this season except Fresno State (39-0 loss) has scored more than Ohio State did against the Trojans. This includes 2-6 Rutgers, who put up 35 on USC. San Jose State, who scored 26; Louisiana, with 30; Oregon, with 41; Washington, with 21; Penn State, with 23; and Wisconsin, with 24. This was the first time this season that USC scored 30 points at home against a Power 4 opponent.
This is who Ohio State
It is what it is. These flaws are part of the Buckeyes' identity now, and show no indication of changing. Ohio State is a Nick Marsh foot inbounds from being 5-5 in their last 10 games. Why? Because despite saying otherwise to the media, special teams is an afterthought to this program.
The on-field results over eight years prove it. The deeper in enemy territory this team gets with the football, the more likely they are to turn to that afterthought to score in big games. The results speak for themselves. Now, not being able to play with urgency when needed is being added to the mix.
The Buckeyes are great at crushing little teams, can out-talent some good teams, and are 50/50 in the biggest games. For every Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame win in 2024, you’re going to get Indiana, Miami, Texas, and USC losses in 2025 and 2026. For every win over that team up north like last year, you’re going to get a laid egg like the year before.
This has been how it’s been for close to a decade. The one person who can change it either can’t or won’t. And, with that person being un-fireable at the moment, the only way it will change is if he chooses to leave. Every big game for the Buckeyes is now a coin flip. One side has a ruthless attacking leader and a win on it, and the other a turtle trying to stay in its shell until the threat goes away and a loss on it.
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