Ryan Day admits Ohio State can't afford another loss against Oregon

Ryan Day didn’t sugarcoat it.

“We’re not allowed to lose.”

That’s what the Ohio State head coach told reporters ahead of Saturday’s game against Oregon — a game that now carries the weight of an entire season.

The Buckeyes enter Week 10 at 6-2 after a 30-18 loss to USC in Week 9.

That loss didn’t just drop them in the rankings.

It erased their margin for error.

Another defeat and Ohio State’s College Football Playoff hopes are effectively finished.

Day knows it. His players know it.

And he’s not pretending otherwise.

“We’re not allowed to lose,” Day said, via On3.

“That’s just the reality of where we are.”

THE QUARTERBACK SITUATION

Ohio State will be without starting quarterback Julian Sayin for the Oregon game.

Sayin suffered an elbow injury in Week 7 against Indiana.

He was hit from his right side while attempting a pass to his left late in the fourth quarter.

The hit caused a fumble and damaged his elbow.

Day provided an update on Sayin’s status Thursday.

“It’s not going to be next week, or next month – it’s going to take some time here, but I think certainly for the long term, we feel like we’re on a good track here,” Day said, via Eleven Warriors’ Dan Hope.

Sayin is expected to miss the rest of the regular season.

He could return to Ohio State next year instead of declaring for the NFL draft.

For now, the offense belongs to freshman Luke Fahey.

Fahey made his first career start against USC.

He completed 21 of 38 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown.

There were growing pains.

Missed throws. Rookie mistakes.

But Day confirmed Fahey will start again against Oregon.

“Like we said going into it, we all gotta help this guy out, and I don’t think we did,” Day said.

THE OFFENSIVE PROBLEMS

The numbers from the USC loss tell a strange story.

Ohio State outgained USC 464-338.

The Buckeyes held the ball for 39 minutes and 28 seconds — nearly double USC’s time of possession.

But that dominance didn’t show up on the scoreboard.

Penalties killed drives.

Dropped passes killed drives.

A costly turnover killed a drive.

Red zone execution was especially poor.

Running back Isaiah West didn’t hold back when asked about the mistakes.

“There’s no reason we should be jumping offsides. There’s no reason we should have 12 people on the field. There’s no reason we should be holding. Like, this is day one fundamental stuff,” West said.

Day echoed the frustration.

“I think it does hurt missing some guys, but I think at the end of the day, we feel like we have enough here to win these games,” Day said.

THE OREGON THREAT

Oregon’s record may not jump off the page, but West warned that it’s deceiving.

The Ducks have the talent to overpower Ohio State if the Buckeyes don’t play clean.

Oregon’s pass rush is a particular concern for a freshman quarterback making his second start.