The Buckeyes’ season-long production suggests a formidable opponent, but a closer examination of efficiency, quarterback performance and situational football reveals a team whose statistical dominance has not always translated into victories.
Ohio State’s 30-18 loss at USC last Saturday produced one of the more unusual statistical performances of the college football season. The Buckeyes controlled the football for nearly 40 minutes, generated 464 yards of offense, accumulated 25 first downs and ran 81 offensive plays. Their running backs combined for nearly 200 yards, and freshman quarterback Luke Fahey avoided throwing an interception in his first career start.
Ohio State accomplished all of that and still lost by 12 points. For a program that entered the season with national championship expectations, the result raised questions that extend well beyond the absence of injured starting quarterback Julian Sayin.
For Oregon, those questions are particularly relevant because the Ducks arrive in Columbus dealing with many of the same problems. Both teams have lost their starting quarterbacks, both have struggled to consistently translate their talent into results, and both understand that another loss would make an already difficult path toward the College Football Playoff considerably more complicated.
