Buckeyes Suffer Historic Back to Back Losses After Oregon Defeat

Uncharted territory for the Buckeyes

Oregon handily beat Ohio State 41-28 on Saturday. That score knocks the Buckeyes likely out of the College Football Playoff race. It also sends the team into unfamiliar territory. Ohio State has dropped two straight regular season games for the first time since November 2011.

The loss comes right after a 30-18 road defeat against USC. The defeat to Oregon also ended a streak of 14 straight seasons with two or fewer losses. That mark was tied with Florida State and Notre Dame for the longest streak in the AP poll era since 1936.

Inside the numbers of the streak breaker

Both recent defeats came by double digits. It is the first time Ohio State has lost consecutive games by at least ten points since 2004, exactly 8,057 days ago. Before this slump, the program went 5,467 days and 169 games without dropping consecutive regular season contests.

The defense had a rare tough outing. Giving up 41 points at home is the second most ever allowed at home under head coach Ryan Day. Oregon scored 38 unanswered points, which is the fifth most consecutive points allowed at Ohio Stadium since it opened in 1922. It is also the first time the Buckeyes allowed 30 points in back to back games after holding opponents under 30 points for 31 straight games.

Early on, things looked fine. Ohio State built a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Heading into the matchup, the Buckeyes had won 140 straight home games when leading by at least 14 points. That run dated back to a 2001 loss against Wisconsin.

Where the game flipped

The game turned late in the second quarter on a trick play. Oregon faced a fourth and 9 at its own 31 yard line. Instead of punting, linebacker Teitum Tuioti took the snap and threw a jump pass to Matayo Uiagalelei for a 30 yard gain.

Following that fake punt, Oregon dominated the action. The Ducks outgained Ohio State 288 yards to 47 yards until 12:51 remained in the fourth quarter, building a 38-14 lead.

What it means for the next game

Northwestern Wildcats at Ohio State Buckeyes (College Football, Sat, 14 Nov): Ohio State Buckeyes win 85%, Northwestern Wildcats win 15%; projected score Ohio State Buckeyes 33, Northwestern Wildcats 16. Our safest pick: Ohio State to win.