Ohio State finds itself in uncharted territory after second straight blowout loss

The injury to starting quarterback Julian Sayin has certainly played some sort of a role in the recent struggles. While backup Luke Fahey has held his own, the Buckeyes passing game has lost a lot of its consistency and at least some of its big-play ability (that was a much bigger issue last week than this week). 

But while Sayin's absence has hurt, that does not really explain a defense that has allowed at least 30 points two weeks in a row and 71 points overall in those two games. Especially in this week's game against an Oregon team that was also starting its backup quarterback (Dylan Raiola). 

Given the expectations for this team at the start of the season, along with the No. 1 ranking coming into it, this is rapidly turning into one of the most disappointing Buckeyes seasons in recent memory. 

While none of their remaining three opponents are ranked (Northwestern, at Nebraska and Michigan), there really is not a pushover team in that trio. Especially the season-ending game against Michigan, which is a rivalry game where anything can happen. Losing even one of those games would turn a disappointing season into the type of season that might result in seismic changes to the program.