Ohio State is coming off their worst performance of the season.
The 30-18 loss at USC exposed problems on both sides of the ball, and the Buckeyes don’t get an easy week to fix them. Oregon comes to Columbus on Saturday with a dangerous passing game and one of the best pass-rushing duos in the Big Ten.
These aren’t necessarily Ohio State’s five best players. They’re the five Buckeyes whose performances will have the biggest impact on whether Ohio State bounces back.
1. Luke Fahey, QB
I thought Fahey actually played a good
game at USC. He completed 21 of 38 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown in his first career start, on the road, at night.
He did what the Buckeyes needed from him. It was the drops, the fumble, the penalties, and the defense that cost Ohio State the game.
That doesn’t mean he was perfect. His completion percentage can improve, and he took two sacks he’d probably like back. But now Fahey gets his first home start in front of the Ohio Stadium crowd, and he doesn’t need a spectacular stat line.
He needs to make good decisions, protect the football, and take what Oregon gives him. As the quarterback, he’s pretty much automatically one of the most important players on the field.
2. Bo Jackson, RB
With a freshman quarterback, you don’t want to put too much on his shoulders. That’s why Bo Jackson matters so much.
Jackson ran for 121 yards on 21 carries at USC, 5.8 yards per attempt, and looked like the star running back I think he can be.
Oregon has allowed 133.8 rushing yards per game at 3.8 yards per carry, so there’s an opportunity here. If Jackson can move the chains early, Ohio State stays out of third and long, where Oregon’s pass rush can take over.
Isaiah West, who added 65 yards on 13 carries at USC, gives the Buckeyes another option, but Bo should be the focal point in my opinion.
3. Austin Siereveld, OL
This might be the biggest bounce-back storyline of the week.
Siereveld returned at USC after missing two games with an illness, and he had a rough night. He got beat a few times and was flagged for a false start on a fourth-quarter drive Ohio State couldn’t afford to waste.
Despite that, he’s still one of the most consistent and, in my opinion, the best player on this offensive line. And Ohio State needs that version of him back this week. Oregon has 19 sacks this season, and Matayo Uiagalelei (six) and Teitum Tuioti (5.5) account for 11.5 of them.
If Siereveld and the tackles can’t hold up against those two, it won’t matter what the play calls look like. Fahey needs time, and Siereveld is the guy Ohio State needs to lead the way.
4. Kenyatta Jackson Jr., DE
We’ve said it all season, Ohio State has to get a pass rush going. The Buckeyes knew Jayden Maiava struggled against pressure after Wisconsin sacked him five times, and they still couldn’t get to him. He threw for 222 yards on just 22 attempts.
Oregon’s Dylan Raiola is coming off a big game against Northwestern, completing 22 of 31 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns. He’s been the Ducks’ starter since Dante Moore suffered a season-ending concussion, and when he’s comfortable, Oregon’s offense can be dangerous.
Ohio State has to disrupt his timing, make him hold the ball, and keep him out of rhythm.
For me, the one guy who can do that is Kenyatta Jackson Jr. He has 20 pressures this season, including three sacks, 14 hurries, and three quarterback hits, according to PFF. If Ohio State wants to make this an ugly afternoon for Oregon’s offense, Jackson needs to be in Raiola’s face all day.
5. Jay Timmons, CB
Timmons’ status for Saturday isn’t clear yet, and that might be the most important injury storyline of the week.
We saw how much he means to this defense when he missed USC. Jermaine Mathews Jr. moved inside, and Cam Calhoun or Simeon Caldwell filled in, and the secondary simply wasn’t the same.
Timmons was outstanding against Indiana before leaving late, with seven tackles, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble. As a true freshman, he’s already an elite nickel, and Oregon’s receivers will test whoever is out there.
Dakorien Moore just caught seven passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns against Northwestern. Getting Timmons back might honestly change the whole tone and look of this defense.
It’s all connected
What I like about these five is how much they depend on each other.
If Siereveld and the offensive line hold up, Fahey has time to make plays. If Bo Jackson gets going, Oregon can’t pin its ears back and attack the freshman quarterback.
If Kenyatta Jackson Jr. gets home and Timmons is back on the field, Ohio State’s defense can look like the unit that carried this team through Iowa, Maryland and Indiana, rather than the one that got pushed around in Los Angeles.
Obviously, Jeremiah Smith is another player who could have a massive impact on this game. I expect him to be great, and I think everyone does. He’s the best player in the country, and another big performance from him wouldn’t surprise anyone.
These five, however, are the players I believe could really swing this game. If they have great performances, they could completely change the outcome and give Ohio State a significant advantage.
With Jeremiah, I expect him to be great and get his numbers regardless. It’s these five who I think could ultimately make the difference between winning and losing.
If they deliver, the Buckeyes can prove they’re still capable of playing their best football when it matters most.
