Week 10's 7 CFP Impact Games Put No. 1 Miami, No. 12 Ohio State at Risk

Q: With Ohio State's Heisman-hopeful QB injured, can a freshman save their playoff hopes against Oregon in this high-stakes 2026 showdown?

Yes, but only if Ohio State wins with a much cleaner, lower-risk formula than it used with Julian Sayin. Ryan Day has already committed to true freshman Luke Fahey against Oregon, and that choice reflects trust more than upside. Fahey beat out Tavien St. Clair for the backup job, started last week at USC, and finished 21-for-38 for 260 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. The raw numbers were respectable, but much of that production came late, and Ohio State’s offense was uneven for long stretches. Day said Fahey showed command, toughness and poise, which matters in a game the Buckeyes likely must have to keep realistic playoff hopes alive at 6-2. What gives Ohio State a chance is that Fahey does not need to be Sayin. He needs to avoid turnovers, get the ball quickly to Jeremiah Smith, and let the run game and defense carry more of the burden. Ohio State also has the benefit of being back at home after Fahey’s first start came on the road in a loss to USC, when the Buckeyes were hurt by 11 penalties and defensive breakdowns as much as quarterback inexperience. The risk is obvious: Oregon is good enough to punish mistakes, and Ohio State’s margin for error is “tiny,” as Day put it. Another loss could effectively end the Buckeyes’ at-large case. So a freshman can save their playoff hopes, but probably not by starring. More likely, he saves them by being steady while the rest of Ohio State finally plays like a contender around him.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Nov 5

Seven Week 10 matchups are poised to reshape the College Football Playoff race after the first rankings left several contenders on the bubble.
No. 11 Notre Dame needs a win over No. 1 Miami, while No. 12 Ohio State faces what amounts to a last stand against No. 23 Oregon after opening outside the field.
No. 9 BYU at No. 3 Utah and No. 5 Alabama at No. 14 LSU carry near-elimination stakes, with BYU, LSU and Alabama all vulnerable to major playoff damage with a loss.
No. 2 Georgia at No. 10 Ole Miss is another SEC filter, while No. 19 Iowa at Northwestern could revive a Big Ten path if the Wildcats turn 6-2 into a late push.
UTSA, 7-1 with its only loss to No. 7 Texas, also enters Week 10 as a potential outsider capable of forcing its way into the broader playoff conversation.