Ohio State Faces Oregon as Injuries Mount
Ohio State hosts Oregon on Saturday after a 30-18 loss to USC without starting quarterback Julian Sayin.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Soccer
Ohio State, now 6-2 overall, hosts Oregon in Columbus on Saturday. Urban Meyer said he is panicked about the Buckeyes' situation after the USC loss, which came without starting quarterback Julian Sayin.
Why it matters
Ohio State's injuries and two losses leave its season in question heading into a home game against Oregon. Oregon is also dealing with a season-ending injury to starting quarterback Dante Moore.
Ohio State's 30-18 loss to USC was followed by a 7.5-point favorite listing against Oregon per FanDuel. Sayin's availability for Saturday's game against Oregon has not been confirmed in available reporting.
The players
Urban Meyer
Urban Meyer is a former college football head coach who led Ohio State to a national championship in 2014.
Julian Sayin
Julian Sayin is Ohio State's starting quarterback whose injury left the team without him against USC.
Dante Moore
Dante Moore is Oregon's starting quarterback whose season-ending injury forced the Ducks to turn to Dylan Raiola.
The details
Luke Fahey made his first career start against USC and finished 21-of-38 for 260 yards and a touchdown. Oregon beat Northwestern 34-26 and allowed 456 total yards in that game.
Timeline
Saturday: Oregon visits Columbus to play Ohio State at Ohio Stadium.
Mid-2026 season: Ohio State has two losses and a quarterback injury.
Season Trajectory
Ohio State's season now stands in sharp contrast to its 2014 national championship run under Urban Meyer, with two losses and a starting quarterback injury complicating its path. The Oregon game will help determine whether the Buckeyes can still contend in the Big Ten race.
Ohio State's quarterback situation matters for fantasy rosters, as Dakorien Moore has 41 receptions for 545 yards and six touchdowns this season. Fans heading to Ohio Stadium on Saturday will see a team trying to recover from two losses.
The takeaway
Ohio State's season has turned on injuries at quarterback, and the Oregon game will show whether the team can recover. Readers tracking the Big Ten should watch Sayin's status before Saturday's kickoff.
What happens next
Ohio State hosts Oregon at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, with the outcome shaping the Buckeyes' Big Ten standing.
Further reading
For more on the Buckeyes' season, see Soccer.
