USC

Ohio State Football: Undisciplined Mistakes and Puzzling Clock Management Plague Buckeyes in Loss to USC

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (2) tackles USC Trojans wide receiver Trent Mosley (4) during the NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network Via Reuters Co
November 2, 2026
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After a puzzling 30-18 loss to the Trojans in LA, Ohio State is ranked outside the top ten for the first time in over five years. Coming off a bye week, the Buckeyes came out noticeably flat and undisciplined against USC. The Trojans struck on the second play with a screen pass to Trent Mosley that went 69 yards for a touchdown. Right away, the defense was not gap-sound, and…

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Ohio State vs. USC Recap: Buckeyes Fall Short, 30-18, as Self-Inflicted Wounds Plague OSU

Ohio State quarterback Luke Fahey warms up before an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, in Los Angeles.AP Photo/Ryan Sun
October 31, 2026
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Ohio State comes up short in Los Angeles as the USC Trojans capitalize on a slew of miscues by the Buckeyes. Ohio State won the toss and elected to defer. USC didn’t take long to seize momentum: on the second play of the game, Trent Mosley took a 69-yard screen pass for a touchdown. The Buckeyes would have to start from behind with a true freshman at quarterback. OSU set…

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Ohio State vs. USC: Buckeyes Look to Take Care of Business Despite Inexperience at Quarterback

Ohio State coach Ryan Day runs onto the field before the second half against Indiana on Oct. 17. (Doug McSchooler/The Associated Press)
October 30, 2026
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Ohio State faces a key Big Ten road test in Los Angeles with an inexperienced quarterback against a hungry USC team. Ohio State enters Saturday night’s matchup against USC facing its first game and biggest test since losing Julian Sayin. The No. 2 Buckeyes must find answers at quarterback while preparing for a talented Trojans team looking to revive its College Football Playoff hopes. Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair…

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Ohio State Football: How Will Ohio State’s Run Game Matchup against USC’s Defensive Front?

BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 17: Isaiah West (32) of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball during the college football game against the Indiana Hoosiers on October 17, 2026 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
October 29, 2026
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Ohio State’s run game has been lackluster and needs to change against USC, with inexperience at quarterback and postseason hopes on the line. Ohio State is coming off a contest in which the running backs out-rushed the Hoosiers’ backfield 107 yards to 70. This doesn’t happen often to an Indiana team that averages just under 177 rush yards per game. If the Buckeyes want to win in Los Angeles on…

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USC’s Response After Wisconsin: Can Lincoln Riley’s Trojans Rebound Against Ohio State?

Sep 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley walks off the field after the game against the Oregon Ducks at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
October 28, 2026
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USC is coming off a 24-7 loss against Wisconsin. Can the Trojans rebound against Ohio State on Saturday? The Trojans have had a season to remember, at least. Lincoln Riley has his team at 6-2, with their only losses coming to Oregon and Wisconsin. But he is still on the hot seat after being ranked this past week. The Trojans have struggled on defense this season. They’ve allowed just over…

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Buckeye Football: Ohio State’s Defense Faces Critical Test Against Jayden Maiava

Ohio State cornerback Devin Sanchez (6) reaches for Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker (80) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Bloomington, Ind. Doug McSchooler - FR170771 AP
October 26, 2026
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Coming off an emotional win in Bloomington and a bye week, Ohio State’s defense faces a new challenge in Los Angeles against a prolific passer in Jayden Maiava. The Silver Bullets handled Josh Hoover and the Hoosier aerial attack. Charlie Becker got loose a few too many times and ended up with 9 catches for 165 yards but was kept out of the endzone. Hoover finished with a 50 percent…

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Challenges Ohio State Football Faces the Rest of Season and How They Should Be Navigated

Ohio State now finds itself squarely in a six-week gauntlet that has been anticipated since the release of the 2026 schedule. The stretch will unfold as follows post-Indiana: BYE, @USC and then Oregon, Northwestern, @Nebraska and Michigan. With Northwestern being one of the biggest surprises in college football this year, all five of OSU’s remaining opponents sit inside the top 32 in the FPI rankings as of this week. We are going to find out what this OSU team is truly made of as depth will be as important as ever. Improved Discipline Ohio State ranks 68th in the country when it comes to penalties per game, averaging nearly 7 per game. The matchup against Maryland was no exception either as OSU committed 8 penalties for 65 yards and Ryan Day was not hiding his displeasure on the sidelines throughout the contest. On one particular drive, a roughing the passer penalty bailed Maryland out on third down. Then on following drive, Maryland found some succcess moving the ball into their red zone. When the Buckeyes had a chance to bow up and force a field goal, they instead committed back-to-back penalties that allowed the Terps to easily punch it in and cut OSU’s lead to 14-10 early. Against Indiana, Ohio State only committed 4 penalties, but they were costly ones. Jermaine Mathew’s roughing the passer. Holding call to take the offense out of field goal range and Luke Fahey’s intentional grounding were all costly mistakes. Even though OSU came out with the win, there was a slew of errors that kept Indiana within striking distance all game. OSU’s depth was certainly tested against Indiana. The status of Julian Sayin is still unknown and coach Day as alluded to the fact that they trust Luke Fahey moving forward. With that said, Ryan Day wants his team to be a “four quarter” football team. Being able to sustain focus and play smart football for four quarters will be a major key to watch if Ohio State wants to take care of business during this stretch, no matter who ends up taking the field for Coach Day. Otherwise, The Buckeyes could find themselves unable to manage or finish games during a period of time where they can’t afford to. Sustain Run Game Arthur Smith offenses are notorious for being with predicated on and creative in the run game, going back to his days calling plays for the Tennessee Titans with Derick Henry. Although OSU got off to a fairly slow start running the ball this year, the results have steadily improved, particularly in Big Ten play. In the past four games, Ohio State’s leading rushers (Bo Jackson, Ja’Kobi Jackson and/or Isaiah West) have combined for 109, 142, 183 and then 101 yards against a stout Indiana run defense. Considering The Buckeyes are now depending on backup QB Luke Fahey for the foreseeable future, have this run game peaking at the right time is essential. Keeping the pressure off of Fahey and not allowing defenses to pin their ears back on him is a must moving forward. With that, the offense should be able to operate at a high enough level to make it through the regular season as a playoff team, assuming Luke is able to protect the football. Defense Wins Championships What Matt Patricia has been able to do with his unit after losing so much talent to the NFL has been remarkable. Ohio State’s defense currently ranks No. 4 nationally in both opponent yards (264.3) and opponent points per game (13.4). It wasn’t always easy for the defense, as pass rush was a major issue up until Big Ten play and the Illinois game exposed the defense with a handful of big plays. However, since then this unit has essentially been lights out. The pass rush, although not quite where it needs to be, has improved dramatically. Particularly with the surge of guys like Qua Russaw and Eddrick Houston. Defensive Back blitzes have also been a useful way to apply pressure, as evident with Jaylen McClain making a huge strip sack against Indiana and even Jermaine Mathews hitting Josh Hoover on the questionable roughing the passer penalty. Being able to successfully apply this pressure was the missing link in what has now become an elite defensive unit. With so much unknown and inexperience leading the offense, this defense will be even more important. If the offense isn’t able to sustain success or takes time to gel under Fahey, The Buckeyes may have to win games with defense, much like they arguably did in Bloomington. Ohio State certainly has their work cut out for them as they navigate the next five games with a winded roster. Injuries are part of the game though and any team on OSU’s schedule is going to dedicate game plans to exploit this. The coaching staff has done an exceptional job thus far, but the challenges have only grown in difficulty. This bye week couldn’t come at a better time for the Buckeyes.
October 19, 2026
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After surviving a thriller in Bloomington, Ohio State now faces replacing Julian Sayin and navigating a challenging five-game stretch. Ohio State now faces a five-week gauntlet that has been anticipated since the 2026 schedule dropped. The stretch will unfold as follows post-Indiana: Idle, @USC, Oregon, Northwestern, @Nebraska, and Michigan. With Northwestern being one of the biggest surprises in college football this year, all five of OSU’s remaining opponents sit inside…

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Bunch of Nuts Podcast 7/25: Big Ten 2025 Season Preview

Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs celebrates a play against the Western Michigan Broncos. — Source: (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
July 25, 2025
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Welcome to the newest episode of the Bunch of Nuts Podcast! Please like and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Big Ten Media Days have arrived! We quickly touch on the biggest moments from Las Vegas. Sonny Styles had big praise for a couple defensive players. Meanwhile, Michigan continued to run their mouth. We then hop into our annual Big Ten preview! Does Penn State need to win the conference this…

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Saturday Cadence Podcast: Alabama & Tennessee Lose as Upset Saturday Strikes; Week 6 Recap

Saturday Cadence Podcast Logo Rebrand 2023
October 7, 2024
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Ep. 87: Upset Saturday in College Football saw five of the Top 11 teams lose, including No. 1 Alabama, causing a major shakeup in the polls. Upset Saturday in College Football saw Alabama lose to Vanderbilt, Tennessee lose to Arkansas, Missouri lose to Texas A&M, Michigan lose to Washington, and USC lose to Minnesota. Blake Biscardi breaks down all the games and what the results mean for the sport as…

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Big Ten Shaping up like a Marvel Movie? Indiana, USC, Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, Ohio State Battling for Top Spot

October 4, 2024
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Chaos in the Big Ten? Indiana, USC, Nebraska, Oregon, and Penn State are battling the Ohio State Buckeyes for the Top spot.  The Big Ten has been an eventful conference up to this point in the season, with surprise teams like Rutgers and Indiana starting 5-0 and playing their best football, while slated contenders Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, and USC have all shown key problems within their programs.  First, we…

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