5 things we learned from Ohio State football's loss to Oregon

1. Ohio State's loss to Oregon, coupled with their previous defeat to USC, has left them with a remote chance of reaching the College Football Playoff, as no team with three regular-season losses has ever made the postseason.

2. The defense of Ohio State has been a significant factor in their two straight losses, allowing 71 points in the past two weeks and surrendering at least 30 points in consecutive games for the first time since 2021. Their pass rush has been ineffective against Oregon's quarterback Dylan Raiola, who was never sacked and only hurried twice.

3. The absence of starting quarterback Julian Sayin has had a ripple effect on the team, making it more difficult to lean on wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Smith finished with mere seven receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown in the game against Oregon, while freshman quarterback Luke Fahey struggled to target Smith in the second quarter.

4. Special teams have also been a liability for Ohio State, with three penalties on punt coverage and returns at USC resurfacing issues from earlier in the season. Oregon exploited this vulnerability with a fake punt late in the second quarter, leading to a touchdown and momentum shift in their favor.

5. Coach Ryan Day acknowledged that multiple elements of the team are coming up short, and it's ultimately one of the biggest reasons for Ohio State heading toward their worst regular season in 15 years. The defense, offense, and special teams have all failed to wrest control of the games, resulting in a troubling trend for a team relying heavily on its veterans.