It’s Time For Ohio State To Hit Its Stride

When looking at the schedule, everyone knew what a journey it would be. From a massive matchup at Texas in Week 2 to running through a tough Big Ten slate, Ohio State knew it was going to have to earn it if it was going to get back to Indianapolis. Through seven games, the Buckeyes have passed almost every test. Now, the real gauntlet awaits.

With USC up next, Ohio State will need its strengths to continue to be strong and its weaknesses to get figured out. That’s not exactly a groundbreaking thought, but with Julian Sayin knocked out due to injury for the foreseeable future, things are going to get a bit harder for the Buckeyes. Leaning on the defense and the best player in college football at receiver, all while figuring out what it wants to do on the ground, Ohio State can get through this final five-game stretch.

Of course, that’s easier said than done.

It’s Time For Ohio State To Hit Its Stride

SoCal Homecoming

While there are those on the Tavien St. Clair hype train – this author included due to the fact that his hometown is less than 40 miles down the road from where this article is being drafted – all signs are pointing to Luke Fahey being the guy. Of course, if the first-year quarterback struggles, St. Clair could have his chance, but we are not going to put that out into the universe.

Fahey was a three-star recruit from Mission Viejo, California, just about 54 miles south of LA Memorial Coliseum. Based on 247Sports‘ profile of Fahey, it doesn’t look like the Trojans offered Fahey out of high school.

The Ohio State faithful have been all over the place regarding what to expect from Fahey. Some are expecting a Cardale Jones-like ascension in which he leads the Buckeyes to the promised land. Others just want him to not mess up and just game-manage his way through the schedule.

Despite the uninspiring recruiting ranking, Fahey is a Buckeye for a reason. Ryan Day and his staff don’t offer quarterback just for fun; he saw something in Fahey that he believed in.

When Fahey was thrust into the spotlight against Indiana, he was not great. Both of his passing attempts fell incomplete, and neither looked promising. However, this weekend, he’s heading into a situation for which he had two weeks to prepare, and the environment is nothing compared to what Indiana threw at him. Seriously, Los Angeles doesn’t care about football, college or NFL. They tarp off sections of the stadium. The weather is going to be very un-LA, and the fanbase, which is already a fair-weather, front-runner group, is ready to run off Lincoln Riley after getting smoked by Wisconsin.

Fahey should be fine. His game is different than Sayin’s. On one hand, he’s not as accurate (which isn’t a dig on Fahey; Sayin is ridiculous), but he’s a better runner.

Now’s The Time

Ohio State’s rushing attack this season is reminiscent of 2020, when no back really took hold of the job until Trey Sermon went nuts in the Big Ten Championship. This year, Ja’Kobi Jackson has been the best back, surprisingly. Unfortunately, he’s going to be out for quite some time due to a foot injury, so Bo Jackson and company have to step up.

Jackson still leads the room with 107 carries and 516 yards, but is second with four touchdowns. That’s good for 4.8 yards per carry, but that’s not enough to take the focus off Jeremiah Smith.

There have been fan theories that Legend Bey, a high school quarterback, could come in and take over. While it would not be surprising to see a play or two with him at Wildcat, it would also be unsurprising to see him only log one carry as he’s still trying to earn the trust of the Buckeye coaches.

One way or another, the Ohio State run game has to take off. If defenses are able to hold the Buckeye rushing attack without dedicating resources to it, Ohio State could be in trouble. Smith is going to get doubled outside, so imagine what that’d look like if USC could just neutralize the Buckeyes on the ground with just its defensive line.

Jackson, Bey, and Isaiah West have to take a step to make Fahey’s life easier. A quarterback’s best friend (other than a not-of-this-world receiver) is a competent rushing attack.

Top Five For A Reason

We are going to compliment-sandwich this one. Fahey is a solid quarterback who can lead this offense; the rushing attack needs work and should step up; and the defense has to keep doing what it’s doing.

Perhaps you’ve heard: Matt Patricia’s unit had to replace a whole lot of talent, including three of the best players in the entire 2026 NFL Draft. All he’s done is reload.

The Buckeyes have the fifth-best scoring defense in the nation. Of course, USC is just the second top-50 scoring offense Ohio State will have faced once this one is done (Indiana is sitting at 38th, USC is 44th, while Texas and Illinois are 57th and 58th).

While breakout star Jay Timmons is still dealing with an injury and is questionable at this juncture, the Buckeyes have been solid. Qua Russaw was a late bloomer due to his own injuries and has been a great addition. Jaylen McClain is a Thorpe Award semifinalist in his second full-time season at safety alongside perhaps the most underrated player on the roster, Earl Little Jr. At the same time, the linebacker quartet of Payton Pierce, Christian Alliegro, TJ Alford, and Riley Pettijohn has been improving week to week.

The key in this one will be pressure. Can Ohio State get Jayden Maiava out of his comfort zone? If so, will that come via the front four, or will Patricia have to dial up blitzes? Wisconsin made Maiava’s life Hell with pressure. As a result, he recorded his 10th multi-interception game in his career. In those games, Maiava’s teams are 8-2.

This is going to be a test for Devin Sanchez as well. USC’s receivers are all legit, led by first-year former Ohio State commit Kayden Dixon-Wyatt.

Bottom Line on Ohio State at USC

Where: LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
History: USC 13-10-1
Last Matchup: Ohio State won, 24-7, in the 2017 Cotton Bowl
Last USC Win: 18-15, in 2009
Date and Time: October 31, 2026; 7:30 p.m. ET
How to Watch: NBC
Spread: Ohio State -6.5; O/U 51.5 (via FanDuel)

Prediction: What is Ohio State without Sayin? Can the defense carry the Buckeyes to victory as it did against Indiana? There are so many questions needing answers. All in all, there is a reason the Buckeyes are a touchdown favorite on the road: talent and coaching. With two weeks to prepare, Day and company should be ready to get the program’s first win at USC since the second year of the Truman Administration. Buckeyes win, 27-13.

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