The US LBM Coaches Poll shook up again on Sunday as the Ohio State Buckeyes fell from their high ranking. The team lost 30-18 to the USC Trojans on Saturday night in a game that exposed major flaws. This defeat drops Ohio State to No. 10 in the latest poll released on Nov. 1, 2026. Miami now sits at No. 1 with an 8-0 record after holding off North Carolina. Georgia moved up to No. 2 following their win over Florida. The Buckeyes entered the week ranked second but leave it with two losses on their record.
Ohio State now holds a 6-2 record after the stunning loss in Los Angeles. Starting quarterback Julian Sayin is out hurt, leaving Luke Fahey to lead the offense. The game’s final three minutes passed before the team managed to score a touchdown. Ryan Day tried to spin the performance positively after the final whistle. He told reporters, “Once we were down by two scores, we knew we were in that game and we had to go…….we felt like if we got a couple of first downs, we could try and pick up the pace,” per reports.
Fans rejected that optimism immediately on social media platforms. One X account user named quinnbear replied to the video of Day’s comments with blunt criticism. The user wrote, “I rolled my eyes before I even clicked on the video…,” showing the deep frustration in the fanbase. Another fan, Mr_mitchellLee, took aim at Day’s assessment of the game tempo. That fan posted, “If he seriously believes they were ‘going fast’ on the drive at the 7:00 minute mark…. The problem is MUCH worse than I thought, much much worse. He’s literally delusional,” per Yahoo Sports reports. Day acknowledged the discipline issues in his postgame remarks. He admitted, “The penalties were not good,” while noting the difficulty of playing with a young quarterback.
Playoff Hopes Hang by a Thread
The margin for error for Ohio State has vanished completely. With a third loss this season, the Buckeyes will find it virtually impossible to reach the College Football Playoff. The team already suffered defeats to USC and Texas during the regular season. The offense struggled to find its rhythm against a talented USC defense playing at home. This loss proves the program faces problems that go well beyond an injured starter. The team arrived in Los Angeles ranked No. 2 and still in the national championship conversation. They left with a damaged reputation and a precarious standing in the rankings.
Other Big Ten teams saw movement in the poll alongside the Buckeyes. USC jumped to No. 17 after their victory over the top-ranked Ohio State squad. Iowa sits at No. 10 and Northwestern holds the No. 23 spot in the updated standings. Indiana remains at No. 3 with an 8-1 record, while UCLA stays at No. 5 with a perfect 8-0 record. The gap between the elite teams and the rest of the conference is widening. Ohio State must win out to have any realistic chance at a playoff berth.
Opinion: The Excuses Are Over
It is time for Ohio State to stop making excuses for this performance. The program recruits elite talent from coast to coast and expects national championships every year. A respectable season is not enough for a team with this level of resources. Ryan Day is not paid to produce good seasons; he is paid to win titles. The offense disappeared when it mattered most against USC. That lack of production is a massive red flag for the entire season.
The coaching staff must fix the offensive line and the quarterback play immediately. Fans are right to question the direction of the program after two losses. The defense cannot carry the weight of the team forever. If the offense continues to sputter, the season will end in disappointment. The pressure is now on Day to prove he can adjust his strategy. The next game will decide if the season is salvageable or if it is already over.
Next Game on the Schedule
Ohio State faces a critical test next week as they prepare to host a tough opponent. On November 7, the Buckeyes face Oregon as their next opponent. This game will determine if the team can recover from the USC loss. A win is mandatory to keep the playoff hopes alive. The team must clean up its penalty issues and find a way to score early. The entire season rests on the outcome of this matchup in Columbus.
