The Ohio State Buckeyes (6-2) return home to Columbus this Saturday looking to put a disappointing loss to USC behind them as they welcome the Oregon Ducks (5-3) to Ohio Stadium for a pivotal Big Ten matchup.

Ohio State entered last weekend's trip to Los Angeles ranked No. 2 in the country, with an opportunity to continue building its College Football Playoff resume. Instead, the Buckeyes left California with a 30-18 loss to a USC team that had been held to just seven points in its previous matchup against Wisconsin.

The defeat exposed several issues that Ohio State simply cannot afford to carry into November, especially with a talented Oregon team coming to town.

While the Buckeyes have shown throughout the season that they have the talent to compete with anyone in the country, Saturday's performance was a reminder that talent alone will not get the job done. If Ohio State wants to get back on track, several areas need immediate improvement.

Offense needs to finish drives

Perhaps the biggest frustration from the USC game was Ohio State's inability to turn offensive opportunities into touchdowns.

The Buckeyes moved the ball effectively at times, finishing with 464 total yards, but repeatedly came away with field goals instead of touchdowns. Kicker Connor Hawkins accounted for all 12 of Ohio State's points through four field goals before Jeremiah Smith finally found the end zone late in the fourth quarter.

Against a quality opponent, settling for three points instead of seven can quickly become the difference between winning and losing.

Ohio State cannot afford to move the ball down the field, reach scoring territory and repeatedly settle for field goals. Red-zone execution must improve, and the Buckeyes need to find ways to turn lengthy possessions into touchdowns.

The challenge becomes even greater with starting quarterback Julian Sayin sidelined by a right shoulder injury. Freshman Luke Fahey is expected to continue leading the offense after making his first career start against USC.

Fahey showed flashes of potential, throwing for 260 yards and a touchdown, but the Buckeyes will need a more complete offensive performance from him and the guys around him.

Offensive line must give Fahey time

Another major concern heading into Saturday is the play of the offensive line.

Ohio State struggled to consistently protect its quarterback against USC, allowing pressure on more than half of its passing dropbacks. That kind of protection simply will not be good enough against an Oregon defense that features some talented pass rushers.

The Ducks defensive line is led by Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti, who have combined for 12 sacks and 15 tackles for loss this season.

That is a dangerous combination for an offensive line still searching for consistency.

Ohio State must do a better job creating a clean pocket, giving Fahey enough time to work through his progressions and allowing its playmakers to get open downfield. Without improved pass protection, the Buckeyes risk making another difficult afternoon even harder for their young quarterback.

Defensive line needs to make its presence felt

On the other side of the football, Ohio State's defensive front has some questions of its own to answer.

The Buckeyes managed just one sack against USC, failing to consistently disrupt quarterback Jayden Maiava and allowing him to operate comfortably for much of the evening.

For a defensive line with the talent and expectations Ohio State carries, that production is not good enough.

Against Oregon, the defensive front will need to generate more consistent pressure, collapse the pocket and make life uncomfortable for quarterback Dylan Raiola.

Raiola has settled into the starting role after an injury to Dante Moore and is coming off an impressive performance against Northwestern, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns.

His top target, wide receiver Dakorien Moore, has already recorded 41 receptions for 545 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Ohio State cannot allow Raiola to sit comfortably in the pocket and pick apart the secondary. The defensive line needs to win its individual matchups, create pressure and force Oregon into difficult third-down situations.

Penalties and defensive execution must improve

Perhaps the most frustrating part of the USC loss was the number of self-inflicted mistakes.

Ohio State was flagged for 71 penalty yards compared to just 42 for USC. Head coach Ryan Day made it clear after the game that the penalties were a major factor in the defeat, particularly when the Buckeyes were trying to finish drives.

The Buckeyes cannot continue giving opponents free yardage or putting themselves behind the chains with unnecessary flags.

Discipline and execution have to become priorities, especially against an Oregon team that has enough offensive firepower to capitalize on mistakes.

The defense also has to take a long look in the mirror.

Allowing 30 points to a USC team that managed just seven points against Wisconsin the previous week is unacceptable for a defense with national championship expectations.

Ohio State entered the season with one of the most highly regarded defensive units in the country, but Saturday's performance showed that even the most talented defenses can be exposed when they fail to execute.

The Buckeyes surrendered 222 passing yards and 116 rushing yards, but it was the explosive plays and inability to consistently get off the field that proved especially costly.

Against Oregon, the defense must play with more urgency, tackle better and limit the big plays. The Buckeyes need to dictate the tempo rather than allow the opposing offense to dictate it for them.

A familiar opponent with plenty at stake

Oregon is not a team Ohio State can afford to overlook.

The Ducks enter Columbus at 5-3 and are coming off a strong performance against Northwestern. Despite an inconsistent season, Oregon remains a dangerous opponent under head coach Dan Lanning, with plenty of talent on both sides of the football.

The matchup also carries some recent history between the programs. Ohio State defeated Oregon 41-21 in the 2024 Rose Bowl, while the Ducks won the previous regular-season meeting in Columbus in 2021. The Buckeyes hold a 10-2 advantage in the all-time series.

Ohio State will have the benefit of returning home, where it has won 12 consecutive games inside Ohio Stadium. That home-field advantage could be important as the Buckeyes attempt to regain their confidence following last weekend's disappointment.

A response is necessary

Saturday's matchup is about much more than simply getting back into the win column.

At 6-2, Ohio State still has an opportunity to put together a strong finish to the regular season, but the margin for error is shrinking. With November football underway and the College Football Playoff picture beginning to take shape, the Buckeyes cannot afford another performance filled with missed opportunities and costly mistakes.

The offense needs to finish drives, the offensive line must protect its quarterback, the defensive front has to generate pressure, and the entire team needs to play with better discipline.

Most importantly, the defense must return to the standard that Ohio State fans have come to expect.

The Buckeyes have the talent to respond. Now it is time to show it.

Ohio State and Oregon are scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Ohio Stadium, with the game airing nationally on CBS.

For the Buckeyes, the message is simple: Saturday is an opportunity to prove that the USC loss was a wake-up call rather than a sign of things to come.