Week 2 Truths: Ohio State's Big-Game Problem; Oregon and Oklahoma Still Haven't Fixed Things

Ohio State's Close-Game Crisis: A Tactical Tightrope

When I first started covering college football, I always thought that the biggest test for any top team was how they'd perform in the clutch. But after two weeks of action, it seems we've all discovered something else entirely about Ohio State. This isn't just about the close games – it's about how the Buckeyes play them. In fact, let me say this with absolute certainty: Ohio State is playing like they're on a very slow tempo track that's designed to minimize risk rather than maximize results.

Let's go back to Saturday night's brutal loss to Texas. The first half was absolutely brutal for the Buckeyes – and I mean that literally. They were playing with a tempo that would make a college basketball coach cry, averaging only 28.5 seconds per snap. That's almost like they're afraid of getting out of rhythm. And yet, even with that, they were dominating the field position battle and had Texas on their heels. In the first half alone, Ohio State averaged 6.5 yards per play to Texas's 3.1, generated five red zone trips to just one for Texas, and had Jeremiah Smith rolling through the secondary like he was playing in a dream.

"In a world in which elite college football teams might play as many as 17 games in a season, Ohio State coach Ryan Day has made the decision to slow his offense down as much as humanly possible."

The problem? Once the tempo slows, the execution starts to fade. In the second half, we saw it happen. Day chose to punt on fourth-and-4 from the Texas 39 – a play that would have been a game-changer if Smith was on fire and Sayin was on his A-game. But instead, Ohio State let the game drift, and when Texas finally got their act together, they found ways to exploit the cracks in the Buckeye defense.

This isn't a one-off issue. Over their last five games decided by 10 or fewer points, the Buckeyes have lost four of them. That's not a blip on the radar – that's a major red flag. And when you're projected as a double-digit favorite in your next four games, that's going to be a problem. If they can't close out these close games, their path to the College Football Playoff is going to be a long, painful one.

But here's what really gets me: They've lost the urgency. The passion. The drive. This isn't about talent – it's about execution under pressure. When the chips are down, Ohio State hasn't shown they can pull off a miracle. That's going to be their undoing if they keep this approach.

Oregon's Offensive Line: A Problem in the Wrong Way

Let me tell you something about Oregon – they've been on a bit of a rollercoaster lately. The Ducks had a reputation for being nearly impossible to beat, and even though I wasn't sure what to expect with their new offensive line, I figured that maybe it was just a matter of time before they'd sort things out.

Well, I was wrong. In their game against Oklahoma State, Oregon got blown out in a way that should have been shocking – but it wasn't. They were completely overwhelmed by a 24.5-point underdog team that played with more intensity and aggression than the Ducks themselves.

The game started out badly for the Ducks. They were outgained by a massive margin – 353-101 – and gave up zero tackles for loss, while allowing two sacks of Dante Moore and an absurdly high rushing success rate of 65% to Oregon's 33%. The defense was supposed to be their strength, but even that fell apart. And when you look at the numbers, there's no way around it – Oregon is struggling on both sides of the ball.

But here's what really makes me scratch my head: This is not a fluke. This is a systemic problem. Oregon has been dealing with the same issues that plagued them in previous years – their offensive line is not good, and they haven't solved it. And that's why when they face teams like USC or Ohio State, things are going to get even more difficult. The margin for error is getting smaller, and if they don't make changes, the Ducks could be in trouble.

Oklahoma's Unfinished Business: Same Old Problems

Let's talk about Oklahoma, a team that was expected to be a powerhouse this season. They had a great start last year – and they made it to the College Football Playoff thanks to a 4-1 record in one-score games. But now, they're back at square one.

In Week 1, they looked like they were going to dominate UTEP, but in Week 2, they lost badly to Michigan. Their run game was barely above average, their offensive line was struggling, and quarterback John Mateer looked like he was trying to find his way through a fog. And it wasn't just one play – it was a consistent lack of execution across the board.

The thing that really surprised me was how Michigan, despite being ranked lower, played with more aggression and better execution. Their defense held strong, and their offense managed to keep pace with Oklahoma's. But even when you factor in Michigan's elite defense, it's hard to ignore the fact that Oklahoma's offense simply didn't look like a team that should be losing this game.

Now, Oklahoma is looking at an even more difficult schedule – they have seven opponents ranked higher than Michigan in SP+ and are facing teams like Georgia, Texas, and Florida. If they can't find answers quickly, they'll be in deep trouble.

The Big Ten's Misery: A Conference in Crisis?

It's hard to ignore the fact that the Big Ten is having a rough start this season. The conference has been consistently underachieving against SP+ projections, and it's starting to look like a pattern. In Week 2 alone, several Big Ten teams were shut out of their games or barely won by a few points.

Teams like Rutgers, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, and Illinois have all struggled, and when you look at the numbers, there's no denying that something is wrong. Even with good performances from teams like Indiana and Penn State, it's clear that the conference isn't living up to its potential. The Big Ten needs a wake-up call – and fast.

But let's not lose sight of the bigger picture here. Despite the struggles, there are still some bright spots. Teams like Mississippi State and Missouri have shown flashes of brilliance, and they're proving that even the most struggling conferences can have moments of greatness. The key is how quickly they adapt and correct their mistakes.

Big Plays, Big Potential: Kamario Taylor and Austin Simmons

While some teams are falling apart, others are rising. Two players who stood out this weekend were Kamario Taylor from Mississippi State and Austin Simmons from Missouri.

Four Drives.

Four Touchdowns. @KamarioTaylor ➡️ @AnthonyEvansIII #HailState || 📺: @CBS https://t.co/AAUteQFaRU pic.twitter.com/Vo8LfXiB97

— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 12, 2026

Kamario Taylor was absolutely phenomenal in Mississippi State's 38-13 win over Minnesota. He threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 91 non-sack yards. His ability to make plays with his arm and legs is a testament to the team's overall success. And if this performance continues, Mississippi State could be a serious threat to the CFP.

Meanwhile, Austin Simmons from Missouri has been a revelation. Despite being considered a bit of a wild card coming into the season, he's been playing with precision and poise. He completed 19-of-29 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns, showing why he was considered one of the top QBs in the SEC transfer portal.

Both players are proving that with the right team, they can elevate their game. And if this trend continues, it could shake up the entire conference landscape.

Texas Tech's Struggles: A Defensive Collapse

One of the most surprising losses came from Texas Tech, who dropped to 15th in SP+ after a loss to Oregon State. While the Red Raiders' offense was solid, their defense was completely overwhelmed.

Their defense gave up over 470 yards and allowed gashes of 75, 41, 37, 25, 22, and 20 yards. The key takeaway here is that even though they're still ranked highly in SP+, their ability to maintain that position depends on how quickly they can fix their defense. If not, this team might be in for a rough season.

North Dakota State: A FCS Success Story in the Making

While many teams are struggling, North Dakota State is proving that even the smallest conferences can make waves. They've won their first ever Mountain West game and are showing that they're serious contenders for a CFP bid.

Their performance against Air Force was a masterclass in execution, and if they continue this pace, they could be a major surprise in the coming weeks. Their offensive attack is fast and efficient, and even though they don't have the power advantages of FCS teams, they make up for it with speed.

Final Thoughts: The Week 2 Truths

Week 2 has taught us that college football is still unpredictable. Teams that looked like lock-ins for the CFP are struggling, while others are rising from the ashes. From Ohio State's close-game struggles to Oregon's offensive line issues, we've seen plenty of lessons learned.

But what I'm most excited about is the potential for these teams to bounce back and fight their way into contention. It's going to be a wild ride, but that's what makes college football so compelling. We're just getting started.