The two preseason favorites in the Big Ten finally went head-to-head in Week 10. Neither of them will leave the game in a position to make the conference title game.
Oregon took down No. 11 Ohio State, 41-28, as Dylan Raiola threw a pair of touchdown passes, while the Buckeyes’ offense struggled to keep up behind Luke Fahey.
In a season where UCLA has unexpectedly emerged to become the conference leader, there’s been another shake-up in the Big Ten playoff race.
Here’s a look at how the Ducks’ win will impact the final stretch at the top of the Big Ten.
MORE: Is Ohio State out of CFP race with loss to Oregon?
Oregon takes down Ohio State
When Bo Jackson scored his second touchdown of the game around the end of the first quarter, it appeared Ohio State could overcome Julian Sayin’s absence to beat an unranked Ducks team fighting to even keep its playoff hopes alive. But a 17-point second quarter — including a gutsy call from Dan Lanning to go for a touchdown instead of a field goal before halftime — changed the game.
Oregon ripped off 31 points in the middle quarters to Ohio State’s none, and that was easily enough to prevent Fahey (360 yards, 2 TDs) from making a comeback. The Buckeyes quarterback threw an interception that led to a touchdown and had a fairly modest connection with star receiver Jeremiah Smith (76 yards, TD).
With the win in Columbus, Oregon improved to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in Big Ten play, while Ohio State dropped its second-straight game, also falling to 6-3 and 4-2 in Big Ten play.
OREGON IS DOMINATING OHIO STATE😳 (via CBS) https://t.co/Df72csZOtK
— On3 (@On3) November 7, 2026
MORE: Breaking down Oregon’s path to CFP after upset win over Buckeyes
Big Ten playoff contenders
| Team | Overall | Conference | Week 11 |
| UCLA | 9-0 | 6-0 | vs. Illinois |
| Indiana | 8-1 | 5-1 | vs. USC |
| Oregon | 6-3 | 4-2 | vs. Michigan |
| USC | 7-2 | 4-2 | at Indiana |
| Ohio State | 6-3 | 4-2 | vs. Northwestern |
| Iowa | 6-2 | 3-2 | vs. Purdue |
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
No. 5 UCLA (9-0, 6-0)
Unexpectedly, UCLA is the clear-cut favorite in the Big Ten in Year 1 under Bob Chesney. The Bruins remained unbeaten in Week 10 by taking down Minnesota, and they have favorable matchups against Illinois and Michigan over the next two weeks.
A West Coast matchup against USC in the last week of the regular season will be the big test for the Bruins, potentially even deciding their playoff fate.
No. 6 Indiana (8-1, 5-1)
Curt Cignetti’s squad remains in a good spot, even with Week 10 off. The key matchup remaining is against USC in Week 11, a game that will likely decide whether or not the Hoosiers will be playing in the Big Ten Championship. A loss could also put Indiana at risk of the committee snubbing them from the field altogether, lacking any key resume wins this year.
Oregon (6-3, 4-2)
The Ducks aren’t dead yet. It won’t be easy to reach the CFP, as Oregon will need to win out — which shouldn’t be difficult against Michigan, Michigan State and Washington — but also get help from Indiana, USC and more to reach the conference title game.
With three losses and a lack of big wins, Oregon likely wouldn’t make the CFP as an at-large selection. It will need help to reach the conference championship.
No. 18 USC (7-2, 4-2)
The Trojans have the most potential to cause chaos in the final few weeks of the Big Ten season. A win over Indiana next week, after also beating Ohio State, could put USC in position to claim an at-large playoff bid.
A win over UCLA in the final week of the season could also put USC in position to compete for the Big Ten title. It’s a tough schedule break for Lincoln Riley, but even losing one of those two games — leaving USC with three losses — will probably put a pin in his team’s playoff hopes.
No. 11 Ohio State (6-3, 4-2)
Unless the rest of the Big Ten contenders fall apart in the next few weeks, the Buckeyes are likely out of the playoff race. No three-loss team has ever made the field, and Ohio State does have a favorable schedule remaining (Northwestern, Nebraska, Michigan), but Ryan Day’s team would likely need to get to the Big Ten title game to make the bracket.
No. 21 Iowa (6-2, 3-2)
Iowa likely won’t have enough juice to reach the playoff, but it’s not impossible. If the Hawkeyes beat Northwestern on Saturday, they have a light path to 10-2 against Purdue, Illinois and Nebraska. Iowa’s most impressive wins are a one-point victory over Michigan and a shutout of Wisconsin, though, which won’t bode well for its at-large bid argument.
The Hawkeyes will either need some help to reach the conference title game or sneak in as a lower seed thanks to a 10-2 record despite their lack of big-time wins.
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