Panic Meter: Are Ohio State’s College Football Playoffs chances doomed without Julian Sayin?

The Ohio State Buckeyes lost 30-18 to the USC Trojans on the road , in a game that they were forced to play without star QB Julian Sayin , who is out indefinitely with an undisclosed right throwing arm and shoulder injury. Coach Ryan Day did not sound optimistic recently when discussing Sayin's chances of a return this season, choosing to plead the fifth on possible timetables on a week when Luke Fahey took over and helped Jeremiah Smith set another record .

The Buckeyes are looking like a team in danger of falling out of the College Football Playoffs chase with a record of 6-2 and the revenge-minded, Dan Lanning-led Oregon Ducks coming to the Horseshoe in Columbus for Week 10.

Is it time for Buckeyes fans to press the panic button? And are their Playoff dreams DOA? The Buckeyes need to keep a close eye on their Matt Patricia-led defense after giving up 30 points on the road to the Trojans.

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Matt Patricia is a former NFL defensive coordinator and head coach and his coaching style is a great indicator of his experience. He knows how to dial up the right plays at the right time and put his defense in position to win.

The Buckeyes' Patricia-led defense wasn't completely gashed by the Trojans, but it did give up big games to the three-headed monster of Jayden Maiava, King Miller and Trent Mosley, which was troublesome.

Fahey just started his first game, and performed well all things considered with no interceptions and over 200 yards passing. If Fahey can keep up his conservative and smart play, the Bucks can beat everyone left on their schedule with running and defense.

Luke Fahey became just the fifth true freshman to start at QB in the Buckeyes storied program's history, a monumental achievement. He looks wise beyond his years and he knows how to rely on the running game with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith watching over him.

Program insiders have praised Fahey for his "moxie" and he will need more of it to keep pace with Lanning's Ducks after their huge comeback win over a revitalized Northwestern team.

Fahey could help the Buckeyes sink or swim, but the most likely outcome is that he will do his best to not lose games as the Buckeyes try to win it in other ways. The Buckeyes' passing game has enough playmakers that all Fahey has to do is get them the ball on short routes and they can make something out of nothing.

The Buckeyes are a huge question mark among college football teams, but that can be said about several other teams heading down the stretch of the season.

This year seems like the perfect one for a 24-team College Football Playoff, but it won't happen so the margin-for-error is slim in the Buckeye State.

If the Buckeyes can get past the Oregon Ducks in Week 10, they have a great chance to make the Playoff. If not, the season could spiral into something no one expected at the start of the season as Fahey and his teammates attempt to salvage a mid-tier to higher-tier bowl game before the regular season fully runs its course.