# Ohio State’s national title hopes are rightfully fading after USC delivers reality check in shocking upset

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/ohio-states-national-title-hopes-are-rightfully-fading-after-usc-delivers-reality-check-in-shocking-upset/
- Published: 2026-11-01T04:26:46+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-01T05:38:32+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Far right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/ohio-state-national-title-hopes-rightfully-fading-usc-delivers-reality-check-shocking-upset
- Topics: World

## Key points

- USC beat Ohio State 30-18.
- The Buckeyes struggled without injured quarterback Julian Sayin.
- Ohio State faces four key opponents in the coming weeks.

## Summary

Ohio State lost 30-18 to USC, raising doubts about its national championship and College Football Playoff prospects after quarterback Julian Sayin was injured. The article argues that the Buckeyes’ offence looked disjointed without him, making the defeat a test of whether the team can contend with its remaining quarterback options.

Ohio State gained 484 yards but struggled to protect Luke Fahey and convert opportunities in the red zone, and did not score a touchdown until Jeremiah Smith’s late five-yard catch. The article says the loss could hurt Smith’s Heisman chances and questions whether Ohio State merits a top-12 place in the first playoff rankings. The Buckeyes have four named opponents over the next five weeks: Northwestern, Oregon, Nebraska and Michigan.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.