After Ohio State's 32-31 loss to Oregon, the Buckeyes are now 1-7 against top-five teams under head coach Ryan Day. While Ohio State losing on the road against the nation's No. 3-ranked team isn't a huge deal on its own, as they still have a straightforward path to the College Football Playoff, Buckeye fans continue to re-live the same losses over and over.
It hasn't mattered how high-powered Ohio State's offense is, how much they've spent on the roster, or the assistant coaches who were brought in. The Buckeyes continue to commit more penalties than their opponents, lack aggressiveness on special teams, and fail to get key stops on defense.
Each of those bad tendencies was front and center again while at Oregon. Despite boasting one of the highest-paid defensive coordinators in the nation, a stocked defense filled with experienced upperclassmen, and an offense that has more playmakers than it can maximize, the Buckeyes played from behind throughout the matchup.
The Buckeyes converted only 4-of-12 third downs, allowed 496 yards of offense, averaged just 2.85 yards per carry if you take out TreVeyon Henderson's 53-yard scamper, and committed five more penalties for 45 yards than Oregon. These have redundant issues over the course of the last seven seasons, and the nation's top teams continue to expose Ohio State in these areas. Whether it's Michigan, Oregon, or Georgia, Day cannot stop the bleeding.
In the first half alone, Oregon pulled off a fantastic onside kick attempt and ripped the ball straight from Quinshon Judkins on a rush attempt, stifling two potential drives that turned into scoring opportunities.
Credit has to go to Oregon for playing a fantastic game. Even though the Ducks had their own miscues, no one could've scripted Evan Stewart's breakthrough coming against Ohio State, or the Ducks averaging five yards a carry.
But it wasn't surprising that it all happened, even if we didn't know the details prior to kickoff. Ohio State's powerful running game dried up as starting left tackle Josh Simmons suffered a season-ending knee injury. Penalties continued to put the offense behind the sticks and force high-stress conversions.
Will Howard had to eat a third down attempt when the ball was rifled into his chest, and he wasn't paying attention. Then, Howard stunningly ran the ball as time expired, seemingly unaware of the clock situation.
As has become the norm with a Day-led team against similar competition, the team fails to major in the minors. Day said he wouldn't blame the officials for blowing an offensive pass interference call on Jeremiah Smith on the final drive, which ultimately cost the Buckeyes the game, but in reality, the passing play should've never been called. Ohio State had the ball on Oregon's 28 with one timeout, so running the ball for field positioning before kicking a go-ahead field goal was the obviously better decision.
Most concerning was the defensive effort. Once again, Ohio State failed to create impact plays as a pass defense. Gabriel averaged a ridiculous 14.8 yards per completion, totaled 341 yards and two scores through the air, and scampered for an easy 27-yard touchdown run.
The Buckeyes logged zero sacks and near turnovers. Senior cornerback Denzel Burke was torched over and over just days after defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said he plays his corners off to help protect against big plays.
And yet, Burke bit on two double moves, allowing Stewart and Tez Johnson to get past him with ease.
A lot went wrong, and the Buckeyes still had the chance to win at the end, but that's hardly a consolation prize for fans who continue to see the same mismanaged clock issues, inconsistent identity, and atrocious defensive performances despite supposedly elite recruiting classes.
Something has to change on the sideline in Columbus, or else Day will continue to fail the program in these key moments.
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