Surprises have already shaped the Big Ten heading into Week 10, and now Oregon and Ohio State are both in spots they didn’t exactly expect to occupy. The Ducks and Buckeyes meet in Columbus with plenty hanging over the result.
For Oregon, a win would keep a three-loss season from slipping away completely. For Ohio State, the pressure is immediate after last week’s loss to USC left the Buckeyes with no room to breathe.
The clearest path for Oregon is through the air.
That’s where the Ducks can make this interesting, because their passing game lines up with the one area that could test Ohio State in a way USC already exposed. Oregon is averaging 285.3 passing yards per game, which ranks 14th nationally, while Ohio State is giving up 177.8 passing yards per game.
On paper, that’s a tough ask. But the Buckeyes’ back seven showed cracks against USC’s aerial attack, and that gives Oregon a lane to work with.
The Ducks need their receivers to win on the outside, create separation, and threaten the Buckeyes vertically. If they can do that, Ohio State can’t just load up against the run and sit on the line of scrimmage.
That also puts real weight on protection. Dylan Raiola will need enough time to get those throws off, because the passing game only matters if the pocket holds up long enough for it to matter.
Oregon doesn’t have to overwhelm Ohio State offensively. It just needs enough explosive plays through the air to keep the Buckeyes from taking over the game on defense. If the receivers keep winning their matchups, the rest of the offense can open up behind them.
That’s the matchup to watch: Oregon’s ability to stretch Ohio State’s secondary. If the Ducks can do that, they give themselves a real shot at the road upset.
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