The post-Julian Sayin era begins at #2 Ohio State (6-1). The Buckeyes go to Los Angeles to take on the USC Trojans (6-2), who are coming off a 24-7 loss at Wisconsin. Ohio State had a bye week, and having the rest advantage might be the difference here with all the uncertainties.

The Buckeyes haven’t announced who will be the starting quarterback a day before the game. It could be either Luke Fahey or Tavien St. Clair. Either way, expect heavy doses of running backs Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson, plus Heisman frontrunner Jeremiah Smith. The Buckeyes had a bye week to prep for this game and give both quarterbacks first-team reps, which should come in handy here. Ohio State has won 18 out of 21 games following a bye week since Ryan Day took over, and if Ohio State wins, USC can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.

The Trojans fell into the lookahead/letdown spot last week at Wisconsin and now turn around for Ohio State at home, then Indiana on the road next week. The Trojans are fighting for playoff lives now, and they must split Ohio State and Indiana at the very least. Jayden Maiava is coming off arguably his worst game of the season as he tossed two picks, was sacked five times, and threw for 257 yards on 31-of-50. USC's defense held Wisconsin to 200 total yards and 16 first downs, but the offense lost the turnover battle 2-0 and was tackled for a loss 10 times. Even with Ohio State's quarterback questions, the biggest question will be what can USC do against Ohio State's elite defense? We'll find out on NBC Saturday Night.

Let’s dive into the schools on both sides of the ball, look at a few key players, and see where the numbers take us.

Game Details and How to Watch #2 Ohio State vs USC

  • Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
  • Time: 7:30 PM Eastern
  • Site: Los Angeles Memorial Stadium
  • City: Los Angeles, CA
  • TV/Streaming: NBC | Peacock

Game Odds for #2 Ohio State vs USC

The latest odds as of Friday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Ohio State (-245), USC Trojans (+200)
  • Spread: Ohio State -6.5 (-105)
  • Total: 51.5 points

#2 Ohio State Buckeyes

Head Coach: Ryan
2026 Record: 6-1 (4-0)
Offensive Points Per Game: 39.3 (9th)
Defensive Points Per Game: 13.4 (T-4th)
2026 Strength of Schedule: 13th
2026 Remaining Strength of Schedule: 15th

The Ohio State Buckeyes Offense:

The Buckeyes offense will have a new starting quarterback for the first time since the start of 2025. Julian Sayin has started for the last 21 games following Ohio State's National Championship in 2024, with Will Howard under center. Luke Fahey or Tavien St. Clair will start, and we could see both getting drives in this game. Having the bye week is a huge positive ahead of this game, but the days of 39.3 points per game are likely over. This is Ohio State's easiest defensive matchup for the remainder of the regular season (Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska, Michigan), but that doesn't mean it will go smoothly.

Ohio State Player to Watch on Offense: WR Jeremiah Smith

Jeremiah Smith has led Ohio State in receiving yards in all seven games and has 31 catches for 584 yards and nine touchdowns over the last four games. He is the favorite to win the Heisman entering the week (+115), but that may not last long if he doesn't have a big outing against USC. Whoever starts at quarterback will likely pepper Smith with targets. I mean, wouldn't you?

The Ohio State Buckeyes Defense:

Since losing to Texas, no one has reached 20 points on Ohio State and USC's Team Total is 21.5, so can the Trojans get over that hump? Against Indiana, Ohio State held the Hoosiers to 73 rushing yards, 2.5 yards per carry, and forced two turnovers. Indiana did go over 200 passing yards versus Ohio State, but Iowa (199) and Texas (195) failed to reach that mark in the Buckeyes' other two road games. Ohio State has allowed 16 total first half points in three road games this season, so I wouldn't expect USC to get off to a quick start.

Ohio State Player to Watch on Defense: S Jaylen McClain

Jaylen McClain had one heck of an all-around effort against Indiana. McClain grabbed a sack, forced a fumble, and had four tackles against the Hoosiers, following up a season-high eight stops against Maryland. McClain has a team-high two interceptions on the season, and they both came at Texas and Iowa; both of OSU's road games. Can he make it three for three this weekend? Tune in to NBC to see!

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USC Trojans

Head Coach: Lincoln Riley
2026 Record: 6-2 (3-2)
Offensive Points Per Game: 32.8 (44th)
Defensive Points Per Game: 25.0 (T-77th)
2026 Strength of Schedule: 46th
2026 Remaining Strength of Schedule: 2nd

The USC Trojans Offense:

USC for the first time all season was forced to be one dimensional. USC ran 25 times for -18 yards and took five sacks and 10 TFL. Jayden Maiava threw a season-high 50 times and that's exactly what USC would like to avoid versus Ohio State. Trent Mosley was held scoreless for the first time all season at Wisconsin and had the second-fewest receptions (5) and yards (45) in a game this year, plus King Miller had season-lows in carries (11) and rushing yards (7). Basically anything would be better than last game for USC's trio.

USC Player to Watch on Offense: QB Jayden Maiava

Jayden Maiava threw two first-quarter interceptions at Wisconsin that turned into three points. USC had a short 7-3 lead, but that's the only time they led or scored in the game. The Trojans had -18 rushing yards, so Maiava was left to do everything. He was sacked five times, and Wisconsin had 10 TFLs. Ohio State ranks 79th in pressure grades at PFF and fifth in coverage grades behind Wisconsin (4th) and Penn State (2nd), two teams that USC just played. There could be plenty of coverage sacks even if Ohio State doesn't get to Maiava.

The USC Trojans Defense:

USC will play Ohio State, Indiana, Maryland, and UCLA to end the season, ranking the second-toughest strength of schedule. Defensively, it's a nightmare facing those teams as they all can move the ball. Against Ohio State, USC's 103rd-ranked coverage grades will be put to the test if Jeremiah Smith is getting fed. USC had two sacks and seven TFL against Wisconsin, but Ohio State will spread USC out far more than the Badgers could. USC ranks seventh in pressure grades at PFF, so expect USC to bring pressure and blitz early to rattle the Buckeyes' new quarterback.

USC Player to Watch on Defense: DE Luke Wafle

Freshman Luke Wafle is on a roll right now. The Trojans end has a sack in three-straight games versus Washington, Penn State, and Wisconsin. Versus the Badgers, Wafle had his second-most tackles (6) to move up to fourth on the team with 33. This will be the biggest game of his young career and a sack and a few pressures would put the freshman on the map.

#2 Ohio State and USC Stats, Betting Trends

#2 Ohio State trends

  • Ohio State is 5-2 ATS
  • Ohio State is 4-3 to the Over
  • Ohio State is 2-0 ATS and 2-0 to the Under as a road favorite
  • Ohio State is 57-37-4 ATS since Ryan Day's first full season, ranking third-best
  • Ohio State is 13-8 to the Over following a bye since 2019
  • Ohio State is 14-7 ATS (18-3 ML) following a bye since 2019

USC trends

  • USC is 2-6 ATS
  • USC is 4-4 to the Over
  • USC is 8-9 ATS following a loss with Lincoln Riley
  • USC is 10-7 to the Over following a loss with Lincoln Riley
  • USC is 39-22 to the Over since Riley took over, ranking second-best
  • USC is 7-5 ATS and 9-3 to the Over as an underdog with Riley
  • USC is 1-3 ATS as a home underdog and 4-0 to the Over with Riley

Rotoworld Best Bets

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes the Under 51.5:

"If you’ve watched USC, they don’t throw the ball as much as you’d think, especially at home, where they run 37 times per game. USC will want to estbalish King Miller to not rely on Jayden Maiava, but it’s going to be a challenge becuase that Buckeyes defense is an elite unit. USC is on stretch versus top tier Big Ten defenses. Since losing to Oregon, USC has played Washington, Penn State, Wisconsin, and now Ohio State, then Indiana next week. The offense has been through hell lately and it showed at Camp Randall in a 24-7 loss. This game means everything for USC now after the loss. If they beat Ohio State this week or Indiana next week, their playoff hopes will still be alive. I think both defenses have good matchups to find success, especially on the money down. I like the Under 51.5 and lean Ohio State to cover."

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Source: Yahoo Sports