Ohio State Buckeyes stumble against USC Trojans as freshman quarterback Luke Fahey faces relentless pressure and costly team mistakes. Can Ryan Day and his coaching staff right the ship before the season slips away? The Buckeyes’ 30-18 defeat sparks questions about play calling, offensive line penalties, and defensive lapses, with standout performances from Bo Jackson and Jeremiah Smith not enough to salvage the outcome. The conversation focused on whether Ohio State’s game plan—anchored by a 200-yard rushing effort and heavy reliance on the short passing game—held the team back. Several points were raised, including coaching accountability, execution failures, and the impact of untimely drops and penalties. The discussion explored the uncertain futures of Ryan Day, Arthur Smith, and Matt Patricia, as well as the Buckeyes’ playoff hopes with matchups against Oregon and Michigan looming. Is a change at quarterback coming, or will the Buckeyes rally for redemption? Episode Timestamps 00:00 Game Recap & BlameCovers the Ohio State loss to USC, blame assignment, key moments, and initial breakdown of the team's performance.13:53 Coaching & Team ExecutionAnalyzes coaching decisions, play calling, player preparedness, penalties, and controversy around head coach and staff.38:56 Playoff Outlook & Next StepsDiscusses playoff hopes, remaining schedule, team improvement needs, and future prospects following the loss.Follow the show on twitter: https://x.com/LOBuckeyes Photo credit: Adam Cairns via Imagn Images Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! KALSHIFor a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next. WayfairTransform your space with pieces that hold up to real life. Join Wayfair Rewards today and get five percent back on every purchase. Head to https://Wayfair.com or shop the Wayfair app for all things home. Every style. Every home. ULTRA POUCHESDon’t sleep on Ultra Pouches. New customers get 15% Off with code LOCKEDONCOLLEGEFOOTBALL at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad Butcher BoxIf you're looking for an easier way to get great meals on the table, give ButcherBox a try. Go to https://ButcherBox.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE to get $20 off your first box, plus your choice of free ribeye, new york strip, or filet mignon in every box for a year — with free shipping always. 5-Hour ENERGY Treat yourself to a crisp apple bite and smooth caramel delight with a Caramel Apple 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot, only available online for a limited time at https://5hourENERGY.com or Amazon. GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuelThis season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.