No. 2 Ohio State travels to face USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, October 31, in the first meeting between the programs as Big Ten conference opponents. The Buckeyes enter the game without starting quarterback Julian Sayin, who was injured in their 19-15 win over Indiana, thrusting Luke Fahey into his first career start.
Key Storylines
Fahey becomes the latest Ohio State quarterback to make his first start on the road, following Craig Krenzel (2001 at Michigan), Kenny Guiton (2013 at Cal), and C.J. Stroud (2021 at Minnesota). The Buckeyes have won each of those previous road debuts.
All eyes will also be on wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the nation's top receiver and Ohio State's all-time leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Smith is the Heisman Trophy favorite, but his production with a new quarterback remains uncertain.
USC, unranked after a 17-7 loss at Wisconsin, holds a 9-2 home record in Big Ten play since joining the league but is just 1-2 at home against ranked opponents. The Trojans are 5-14 overall against ranked teams under coach Lincoln Riley, and quarterback Jayden Maiava is 1-5 as a starter against ranked opposition.
Prediction
CBS Sports analysts lean toward the under on the 51.5-point total, expecting Ohio State to rely heavily on its run game to protect Fahey and noting USC's offensive struggles against ranked teams. The majority of expert picks favor Ohio State to win straight up.
The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on NBC with a live stream available on Fubo.
