Oregon walks into Columbus on Nov. 7 with its season still hanging around the College Football Playoff conversation, but the margin for error is gone. The Ducks are 5-3 overall and 3-2 in Big Ten play, and they enter Week 10 ranked No. 23 in the first CFP rankings released Tuesday. There’s still a path to a Big Ten championship and an automatic playoff spot, but the math only matters if Oregon keeps winning, starting with a major road test against Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are 6-2 and 4-1, and this matchup is the toughest assignment left on Oregon’s schedule. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. PT at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
CBS will carry the game nationally. Brad Nessler and Charles Davis will be on the call from the booth, with Jenny Dell reporting from the sideline. Fans can also stream the game on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new members.
Oregon’s path to this point has been uneven. The Ducks opened with a 34-27 win over Boise State on Sept. 5, then dropped the next week’s game at Oklahoma State 39-31.
They responded with a 84-0 rout of Portland State, beat USC 41-27, then stumbled again in a 17-15 loss at UCLA. Since then, Oregon has put together back-to-back wins over Nebraska, 17-14, and Northwestern, 34-26, to keep itself in the mix.
Ohio State’s season has had its own twists. The Buckeyes started with a 56-3 win over Ball State, lost to Texas 24-23, then rolled through Kent State, Illinois, Iowa and Maryland before edging Indiana 19-15.
Their most recent result was a 30-18 loss to USC on Oct. 31.
After Saturday’s game, Oregon’s schedule continues with Michigan on Nov. 14, a trip to Michigan State on Friday, Nov. 20, and Washington on Nov. 28.
Ohio State follows Oregon with Northwestern on Nov. 14, a trip to Nebraska on Nov. 21, and Michigan on Nov. 28.
In Other News...
Dan Lannings Aggression Just Put Ohio State On Notice
Oregon spent the first quarter in a hole against Ohio State, but the Ducks did not spend long playing it safe. A successful fake punt helped flip the tone, and Dan Lannings group kept leaning into an aggressive approach on offense until it had clawed its way to a 17-14 halftime lead, a swing that said as much about confidence as it did about execution.
Afterward, Lanning framed the performance around identity, stressing that Oregon has to keep playing like itself if it wants to keep putting pressure on elite opponents. He also pointed to the need to cut down on turnovers, a reminder that the Ducks boldness only works if it is paired with cleaner football, and that balance will matter even more as the stakes keep rising. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon May Need One Freshman To Change Everything Against Ohio State
As Oregon turns its attention to Ohio State, the Ducks are looking for ways to crack a defense that has been especially sturdy against the run. That puts a spotlight on true freshman Brandon Smith, whose performance against Northwestern stood out not just for the production on the ground, but for the way he added another layer to the offense with his work in the passing game.
Smiths rise matters even more because Oregon is dealing with injuries at running back, which narrows the options against a Buckeyes front that does not give much away. If the Ducks are going to find an answer in a game like this, they may need the kind of burst and versatility Smith showed in his first real opportunity to make a difference. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Faces One Huge Test In Columbus With Playoff Stakes Rising
Oregon heads into Columbus for one of the seasons biggest measuring-stick games, and both sides are carrying injury questions into a matchup that already has plenty riding on it. The Ducks will be without starting running back Jordon Davison, but they do get wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan back after his injury absence, a small boost for an offense that will need every available piece against an Ohio State defense that is expected to have defensive back Jay Timmons and offensive tackle Ian Moore back in the lineup.
The Buckeyes still have a few names on the doubtful list, including some wide receivers and a linebacker, but oddsmakers still have Ohio State favored at home. For Oregon, the setting alone makes this a major test, and the injury picture only adds to the challenge of trying to leave Columbus with a statement win and keep playoff hopes on the strongest possible footing. [Read more 🡒]