Another Top Team Goes Down: Ohio State Falls as No. 2 Without Its Starter
Top-two losing streak continues
For the fourth consecutive week, a team ranked among the country’s top two lost. Ohio State has now fallen as both the No. 1 team, in Week 2 at Texas, and the No. 2 team. The Buckeyes came into Saturday’s game among the nation’s highest-ranked teams, but faced a difficult test without starting quarterback Sayin.
Backup quarterback fills in
Luke Fahey started in Sayin’s absence and completed 18 of 30 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown. The offense, however, did not produce enough big plays. Ohio State’s other players were expected to help carry the team, but the Buckeyes did not perform to that level on Saturday.
Smith’s yardage per catch drops
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught 10 passes, averaging 8.3 yards per catch. Before Saturday, he averaged 18.9 yards per reception for the season and had not recorded a game below 17 yards per catch. The team could show its expected quality over the next month, but Saturday’s performance did not provide that evidence.
Pressure had been building
The coach’s seat had grown hotter, with the pressure appearing to peak after last week’s poor loss at Wisconsin. Ohio State’s latest defeat came despite its high ranking, with the starting quarterback out and its offense unable to generate enough explosive plays.
Key points
- A top-two team has lost in each of the past four weeks.
- Ohio State has now lost as both the No. 1 and No. 2 team.
- Luke Fahey threw for 260 yards and a touchdown in place of Sayin.
- Jeremiah Smith averaged 8.3 yards per catch on 10 receptions.