Is Ohio State's season already over following its disappointing loss to USC? Or do the Buckeyes still have a realistic path to the Big Ten Championship Game and the College Football Playoff? In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr examine the state of Ohio State football following its second loss of the season and explain why, despite the frustration surrounding the program, there is still plenty left to play for. With Julian Sayin sidelined, significant injuries in the secondary, questions about roster depth, and a challenging four-game stretch remaining, the Buckeyes have almost no margin for error. But here's the reality: If Ohio State wins its final four regular-season games, the Buckeyes are headed to the Big Ten Championship Game. Tony and Tom discuss whether that's a realistic expectation, how Ohio State compares to the rest of college football, and why fans might need to reconsider what constitutes a successful season given the circumstances. They also examine the impact of NIL and the transfer portal, the differences between today's Ohio State teams and those coached by Urban Meyer and Jim Tressel, and whether the Buckeyes can overcome their flaws before Oregon comes to Columbus. Is Ohio State's season really over after losing to USC? Why the Buckeyes still control their Big Ten Championship destiny. Can Ohio State win its final four regular-season games? How much has Julian Sayin's injury changed the season? Is simply reaching the College Football Playoff good enough? Why roster depth has become a significant problem for the Buckeyes. The impact of losing Jay Timmons and other defensive backs. How NIL and the transfer portal have changed expectations. Why even college football's best teams are struggling with consistency. Can Ryan Day and Ohio State fix their problems before facing Oregon? Should Buckeye fans lower their expectations or keep believing? ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Buckeye Weekly: Is Ohio State's season over? 00:23 – The USC loss and why the Buckeyes still have something to play for 02:02 – Ohio State's path to the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff 04:49 – Are fans giving up too early on the Buckeyes? 06:30 – Why patience matters in today's college football landscape 07:00 – Coaching criticism, roster turnover, injuries, and declining depth 09:35 – How Julian Sayin's injury changes Ohio State's expectations 10:00 – Would making the playoffs or simply beating Michigan be enough? 11:56 – Comparing the schedules and challenges facing Ryan Day and Urban Meyer 12:43 – Why college football's top teams are struggling with consistency 13:27 – The unpredictability of the 2026 college football season 14:30 – Ohio State's roster depth problems and the impact of transfer portal departures 15:00 – Can Oregon exploit the same defensive weaknesses USC exposed? 15:52 – Why the national championship race is still wide open 16:45 – Ohio State's shrinking margin for error and the importance of winning out 17:28 – What would constitute a successful finish for the Buckeyes? 18:41 – Fan reactions, Oregon week, and Buckeye Insiders member appreciation events Join Buckeye Insiders! Get exclusive Ohio State football coverage, insider analysis, recruiting news, and premium message board discussions at: https://BuckeyeInsiders.com November is Member Appreciation Month at Buckeye Insiders! We're celebrating with special events, giveaways, and a member tailgate before Ohio State takes on Oregon. Join the conversation! Do you believe Ohio State's season is effectively over? Or can the Buckeyes win their final four games, reach Indianapolis, and make another run at the College Football Playoff? What would you consider a successful season for Ohio State at this point? Let us know in the comments! 👍 LIKE this video if you enjoy our Ohio State football coverage. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast with Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr for daily Buckeye news, analysis, previews, and postgame reactions.
