The Ohio State Buckeyes’ Week 10 matchup against the Oregon Ducks is a must-win game in Columbus. Ohio State fell on the road to USC in Week 9 and now has two losses. The Buckeyes can’t afford another one if they expect to make the College Football Playoff.

Oregon comes to town with three losses of its own. A win matters for the standings, but Saturday is also a big-time recruiting opportunity for Ohio State. The Buckeyes will host a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff at home, and several 5-star recruits are expected on campus. One of them is 5-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou, who is already committed to Ohio State.

The Buckeyes are still looking for a running back in the class of 2027. They missed on David Gabriel Georges after he committed to Tennessee over the summer.

Ohio State to host running back flip target against Oregon

Several running backs have been linked to Ohio State over the past couple of months. This weekend, the Buckeyes will host one of them, and he happens to be committed elsewhere.

Wylie, Texas running back Daylon Gordon will visit Ohio State this weekend, according to Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. Gordon is a 4-star prospect committed to Texas State. The 5-foot-9, 195-pound back is a player the Buckeyes like a lot because he can line up as a running back and also work as a pass catcher out of the backfield.

Gordon’s recruitment has picked up lately. He’s the No. 354 player and No. 22 running back in the class, according to the 247Sports Composite.

His production backs up the extra attention. Gordon is having a monster senior season at Wylie with 1,247 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns through nine games. He has added 659 receiving yards and six touchdown catches as well.

That kind of versatility is exactly what makes him an attractive target. A running back who can stay on the field on third down and create mismatches in the passing game fits well in what Ohio State wants to do on offense.

Buckeyes need running back depth in the 2027 class

Ohio State would like to take a couple of running backs in the 2027 cycle, and Gordon could end up being one of them.

The Buckeyes aren’t going to find another player like Gabriel-Georges. That’s why the staff went all in on him in the first place. Still, Ohio State doesn’t need Gordon to be that player. He could be an important part of a running back duo in the class, giving the Buckeyes two backs with different strengths instead of one featured target.

Adding depth at the position is a priority for running backs coach Carlos Locklyn right now. Gordon is a player Locklyn needs to flip from Texas State and bring into the fold. Pulling a commitment away from another program is never a sure thing, but getting Gordon on campus for a game of this size gives Ohio State its best shot.

A big Saturday on and off the field

The Buckeyes are looking at a lot of pressure on one afternoon. They need a win over Oregon to keep their playoff hopes alive, and they need a strong showing in front of a crowded group of visitors.

A home win in a big-time atmosphere could do plenty for Ohio State’s recruiting pitch. Saturday will be a big opportunity for Ohio State to get the flip done with Gordon.