It's Monday and the sky hasn't fallen yet.
Ohio State traveled more than 2,100 miles from Columbus to Eugene and lost a one-point game to then-No. 3, now No. 2 Oregon. Losses are never acceptable at a program with the championship standard the Buckeyes and their fans expect, but the fact remains if OSU wins out it will be Big Ten Champions with a bye in the first 12-team College Football Playoff.
Since Penn State and Indiana – the only two unbeaten teams left in the Big Ten outside the Ducks – are on Ohio State's schedule, all the Buckeyes' ambitions are within their control. For now, however, there's a lot for them to work through as they hit their second and final bye week. While there were standout performers on the offensive side against Oregon, a lot of defensive stocks are down this week.
Stock Up
Emeka Egbuka
Ten catches on 10 targets is hard to beat. While Ohio State fell flat in several areas against Oregon, its receivers continued to show why they're still among the nation's best, and Egbuka was a top reason why once again with 10 receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown. Egbuka also lined up in the backfield for a fun wrinkle and ran the rock twice for 20 yards.
Jeremiah Smith
If there were any doubts about whether the freshman phenom would keep living up to his hype in a big game, he erased those with some fantastic play against the Ducks. Controversial offensive pass interference aside, Smith collected nine receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown. He's hauled in a score in each of his first six games as a Buckeye, a school record.
Throw it up and you know Jeremiah Smith is going to catch it @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/phFeTIZxKh
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 13, 2024
Will Howard
While he didn't get down in time on Ohio State's final play, Howard played an unbelievable game in his first big-time matchup as a Buckeye. He completed 80% of his passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, including this wonderful scramble and throw across his body for Smith's score.
SAY HIS NAME. JEREMIAH SMITH
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 13, 2024
pic.twitter.com/Zp5nz1sHyr
Arizona State
While an upset of a top 25 team by an unranked foe normally places that squad in the Stock Down section, after No. 16 Utah was knocked off 27-19 by the Sun Devils, they have too fun a story not to include in Stock Up. Picked to finish last in their first year in the Big 12 by the conference's media, Arizona State is off to a 5-1 start. Also, head coach Kenny Dillingham is a lot of fun.
Kenny Dillingham with an instant classic postgame interview after @ASUFootball takes down No. 16 Utah at home #Big12FB | ESPN pic.twitter.com/uyBXXEDETh
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 12, 2024
LSU
Two top-15 games were played this past Saturday, Oregon obviously winning one and No. 13 LSU defeating No. 9 Ole Miss 29-26 in overtime for the other. The Tigers won a key matchup along the College Football Playoff line but still face a rigorous SEC schedule that includes Alabama and a road trip to Texas A&M.
Stock Down
The secondary
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel torched last year's No. 1 pass defense for 341 yards and two touchdowns. Cornerback Denzel Burke had a career-bad game, allowing eight receptions for 179 yards as the Ducks switched from their usual quick passing game to a more downfield-oriented attack that may have caught the Buckeyes off-guard. Still, the defense didn't feel it was a lack of preparation that cost them, more a lack of execution.
"They ran most of what we saw," linebacker Cody Simon said. "It's just – we've got to execute. That's what it comes down to. Just disappointing and we've just got to get back to the drawing board."
Pass rush
Gabriel was able to throw for his 341 yards on 34 pass attempts without taking a single sack and only took two quarterback hits. There was pressure on a few plays but not nearly consistently enough for the talent Ohio State has on its defensive line.
Discipline
Penalties and turnovers hadn't been much of an issue for the Buckeyes prior to Saturday, but they were flagged eight times for 70 yards to the Ducks' three for 25 and had a -1 turnover margin off a fumble by Quinshon Judkins. That doesn't count an onside kick drilled off Caleb Downs to give Oregon an extra possession that led to three points in the first half.
This might be the best onside kick Ive ever seen pic.twitter.com/VmfRSN1Tfy
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) October 13, 2024
The avoidance of high-impact injuries
If one were to rank the players Ohio State could least afford to have injured going into 2024, it'd probably start with Will Howard, given he's the Buckeyes' quarterback and the options behind him don't inspire great confidence. Second on that ranking might be left tackle Josh Simmons, who was playing at a fantastic level for OSU this season before going down with an apparent left leg injury against the Ducks. His year could be over.
"The injury to Josh Simmons hurt," Ryan Day said. "I'll have to get the update on Simmons, but it doesn't look great in terms of him being able to come back this season. That's a big hit for us."
Defensive lapses, penalties, turnovers, those things can ultimately be rectified. Every team deals with injuries, but losing Simmons is a major blow to an offensive line that had taken a major step thus far in 2024. The hope is that Zen Michalski or some other option can at least do a serviceable job in his stead.
Lincoln Riley
Riley is now 22-11 through 33 games as USC's head coach after blowing a two-score lead at home to lose to Penn State in overtime. That's a worse record through the same length of time as his fired predecessor, Clay Helton (24-9). Riley's Trojans are 5-8 in their last 13 games.
