All the Ohio State Buckeyes can do now is try to pick up the pieces after a 41-28 loss to the Oregon Ducks in Week 10 of the college football season. The third loss of the season all but ends Ohio State’s chances of making the College Football Playoff. The goal from here is simply has to be to finish as strong as possible.

Three regular season games remain on the schedule for Ohio State against Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan. Losing back-to-back games to USC and Oregon is a tough blow for the program, and it’s a position the Buckeyes haven’t been in since 2012.

Oregon took over after a fast start from Ohio State

The Buckeyes came out strong against the Ducks with 14 points in the first quarter. Ohio State didn’t score again until another 14 points came in garbage time. In between, Oregon took control of the game with 38 straight points to put the Buckeyes away.

After the game, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning got real about the Buckeyes and what he thinks of them. Lanning gave credit to Ohio State’s star wideout and the job Ryan Day has done with the roster.

“Obviously, the wide receiver is as good as anybody,” Lanning said. “There’s some we gave him for free, and then there’s some that you just chop up to the game and say that guy’s special. So that showed up for him today. But a really talented team, well-coached team by Coach Day. I just thought our guys got a hold of the momentum and then really didn’t let it go until or give it back until the very end of the game there, where they kind of chip their way down the field.”

Lanning’s read on the momentum is accurate. Ohio State only chipped its way down the field late in the game once the outcome was already decided.

Jeremiah Smith disappeared for too long

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith finished with a game-high seven receptions for 133 yards and one receiving touchdown. Those numbers look strong on paper, but they don’t tell the full story. Smith was taken out of the game for most of the middle quarters, going over 20 minutes without a target.

It’s inexcusable for the Buckeyes to go that long without getting the ball to their best player. Smith did most of his damage in garbage time on Saturday, after Oregon had already built a commanding lead.

The rest of the offense was finicky as well. Ohio State piled up yardage, but much of it came after the game was out of reach. The Buckeyes were also unable to run the ball, finishing with just 53 rushing yards. Most of that production came early because Ohio State was forced to throw for the rest of the night once it fell behind.

Freshman QB Luke Fahey was put in a tough spot

Having freshman quarterback Luke Fahey attempt 50 passes is a recipe for disaster, and that’s exactly how it played out. A young quarterback asked to carry the offense with no running game against a team riding momentum is a hard ask in any setting.

Fahey didn’t get much help from the other two phases either. The Buckeyes had a big special teams error when they gave up a fake punt, and it handed Oregon another boost while the game was slipping away.

The defense was pitiful against the Dylan Raiola-led Oregon offense. Ohio State allowed 395 yards to the Ducks and couldn’t get the stops it needed to slow down the 38-point run.

Oregon put one on the Buckeyes, and it leaves the program in a tough spot with multiple games still left to play. With the College Football Playoff now out of the picture, Ohio State’s focus shifts to Northwestern, Nebraska, and the rivalry game against Michigan.

How the Buckeyes respond over the final three weeks is going to be key. A strong finish won’t erase back-to-back losses, but it’s where the program has to step after the last couple of weeks.