After a tough upset loss at USC, Ohio State returns home to face Oregon at 3:30 p.m. ET Nov. 7.
Here are our predictions for the game:
Ohio State vs. Oregon predictions
Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 24, Oregon 20: If the Buckeyes don’t solve the protection issues that left freshman Luke Fahey under frequent duress a week ago, they could be in trouble against Oregon, which has one of the nation’s best pass-rushing tandems in Teitum Tuioti and Matayo Uiagalelei. But the Ducks are also down to their backup quarterback and have more significant limitations on offense, one of the least efficient in the Big Ten. Ohio State gets a slight edge at home and escapes with a win reminiscent of rock fights with Penn State over the years.
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Rob Oller, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 28, Oregon 17: Can the Buckeyes defend the pass well enough to escape consecutive Big Ten losses for the first time since 2011? If OSU misses tackles as it did against USC, don’t be shocked if Oregon stays in the game until the end. The Ducks rank 14th nationally in passing offense, which is plenty good enough to give Ohio State fits. Fortunately for Ohio State, Oregon’s run offense ranks 92nd, which should allow OSU to focus on stopping the pass. I would expect quarterback Luke Fahey to show improvement in his second start, but the offensive line will make or break how well the true freshman plays.
Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 31, Oregon 21: Both Ohio State and Oregon need to win this weekend – the Buckeyes to keep their College Football Playoff hopes afloat and the Ducks to turn around a disappointing 5-3 season. The Buckeyes learned they can move the ball with freshman Luke Fahey at quarterback, but only if they clean up the penalties and errors. The biggest task against the Ducks will be limiting their big passing plays, as Oregon, similar to USC, ranks among the top passing offenses in the Big Ten.
Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 24, Oregon 21: What was supposed to be a matchup between national championship favorites ahead of the season is now diluted into two struggling teams without their respective starting quarterbacks. Ducks quarterback Dylan Raiola looked good against Northwestern, throwing three passing touchdowns without an interception. I don’t expect immediate fixes for the Buckeyes, but a good running game and better defensive play will get them the win.
Jeremiah Smith is held without a touchdown
Joey Kaufman: Smith had seven receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns when the Buckeyes last saw Oregon in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals in 2024, and the performance is likely to result in extra attention from the Ducks. It might open things up for Chris Henry Jr. and Devin McCuin, but look out for Oregon to become the first Big Ten team to keep Smith out of the end zone this season.
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Chris Henry Jr. scores two touchdowns
Rob Oller: Henry Jr. has not been the instrument of destruction I thought he would be, but he will show how dangerous he can be against the Ducks, who are so intent of stopping Jeremiah Smith that they give Henry Jr. the space needed to burn them.
Luke Fahey records rushing TD
Brianna Mac Kay: Luke Fahey has shown flashes of his ability using his legs, logging 8-yard runs in the Indiana and USC games. While Ohio State opted against using a quarterback sneak during its three plays at USC’s 1-yard line, Fahey could be given that opportunity if the Buckeyes find themselves in that situation against Oregon. But Fahey could also find a gap to run in a touchdown on his own.
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Ohio State runs a QB sneak for a touchdown
Dan Aulbach: The sneak with Luke Fahey to convert on third and inches against USC worked. For whatever reason, the Buckeyes did not try the play again at the goal line. Amid all the end zone and goal line issues, Ohio State will keep it simple and sneak it in for a score.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
