Ohio State’s national title hopes are rightfully fading after USC delivers reality check in shocking upset
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.
In short
- USC beat Ohio State 30-18.
- The Buckeyes struggled without injured quarterback Julian Sayin.
- Ohio State faces four key opponents in the coming weeks.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The loss raises legitimate doubts about Ohio State’s title prospects: its attack struggled to protect Luke Fahey and finish drives, and Sayin’s injury exposes how dependent the team may be on one quarterback. With tough opponents ahead, playoff selectors should weigh whether the Buckeyes can perform consistently against strong teams rather than rely on reputation or yardage totals.
The case against
One defeat, especially after a starting quarterback is injured, need not define a team’s championship potential. Ohio State still produced 484 yards and has several games to show it can adjust, develop its remaining quarterback options and convert opportunities; playoff rankings should reflect the full season, not treat this upset as conclusive.
Explained simply
Ohio State and the University of Southern California (USC) are two major American college football teams. Ohio State, known as the Buckeyes, plays in the Big Ten conference; USC, the Trojans, joined the same conference in 2024. Their games count towards a season record that helps determine which teams reach the College Football Playoff, the competition for the national championship.
Ohio State’s hopes depend partly on its offence, including its quarterback, who leads the attack, and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who catches passes and can also attract attention in the Heisman Trophy race for the season’s outstanding player. The playoff field is limited, so a team’s results and performance can affect its chances of being selected. Ohio State’s remaining games include opponents from its conference and the annual rivalry match against Michigan.