No. 2 Ohio State heads to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Halloween night without the quarterback who carried it to a 6-1 start. Julian Sayin suffered a shoulder injury in the 19-15 win over Indiana, and the Buckeyes will hand the offense to a freshman for a prime-time road test against USC. The market has noticed. Ohio State opened as a 7-point favorite and now sits at -6.5, even with most spread tickets on the visitors. Below, we break down the Ohio State vs. USC spread, the total, and where our best bet lands in this Big Ten showdown.
Last Updated: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Ohio State vs. USC — Time & How to Watch
| Where | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles CA |
| When | Saturday, October 31 – 7:30 PM ET |
| TV | NBC |
Ohio State vs. USC Betting Preview
Ohio State enters 6-1 overall and 4-0 in Big Ten play. It remains No. 2 in the AP Top 25 after holding off Indiana 19-15 on Oct. 17. That win came at a steep price. Sayin left with a shoulder injury that is expected to sideline him for several weeks, and this is the first game of the post-Sayin era.
Ryan Day has not publicly named a starter. The options are true freshman Luke Fahey and redshirt freshman Tavien St. Clair. Neither has meaningful game experience, and Fahey threw only two passes against Indiana. Whoever takes the first snap will lean heavily on Jeremiah Smith, a leading Heisman Trophy candidate at wide receiver.
USC sits at 6-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play. However, the Trojans dropped out of the AP Top 25 for the first time this season after a 24-7 loss at Wisconsin last week. They also lost at home to Oregon earlier in the year. A third loss would all but end USC’s College Football Playoff hopes, and that makes this a pivotal night for Lincoln Riley. Quarterback Jayden Maiava remains the engine of the offense. Meanwhile, tight end Mark Bowman, running back Shahn Alston, and defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart are all listed as questionable on USC’s injury report.
This is also the first meeting between these programs as Big Ten opponents. The last time they played was the 2017 Cotton Bowl, which Ohio State won 24-7.
Ohio State vs. USC Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | -6.5 (-108) | -235 | O 51 (-108) |
| USC | +6.5 (-112) | +195 | U 51 (-112) |
Odds accurate as of Saturday, October 31, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest NCAAF Odds – Futures – Props
Ohio State vs. USC — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Ohio State | 67% | 33% | USC |
See the latest College Football Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Ohio State vs. USC Prediction — Is the Number Too Big for a Freshman on the Road?
Start with the market signal. Two-thirds of spread bets are on Ohio State, yet the line has moved from 7 to 6.5. The moneyline tells the same story, sliding from -270 at open to -235. When the price moves against the popular side, it usually reflects respect for the underdog from bigger money. Moving off the key number of 7 matters too, because a touchdown win would now cash for the favorite.
The situational case points the same way. A freshman quarterback making his first real start, on the road, at night, in a hostile stadium is a tough spot to lay nearly a touchdown. USC also has every reason to bring its best effort. Its playoff path and its coach’s standing both hinge on this result.
Still, the case for Ohio State is real. The Buckeyes’ defense is the strength of this team, and USC scored only seven points in Madison a week ago. If the Trojans’ offensive line struggles again, Ohio State can win comfortably with field position and a few Smith big plays. Even so, the number gives the home side enough cushion in what projects as a grind.
The Pick: USC +6.5 (-112)
Ohio State vs. USC Prediction — Can Either Offense Break Through?
The total opened at 51 and has not moved. That feels high for this matchup. Ohio State has won its biggest game of the season 19-15, and now it loses its starting quarterback. A conservative, run-first plan with a freshman under center would shorten the game and drain the clock. On the other side, USC just managed seven points against Wisconsin, a matchup we broke down in our USC vs. Wisconsin prediction.
The risk to the under is turnovers. A young quarterback can hand USC short fields, and Smith can flip a game with one catch. If the Trojans’ defense bends and the Buckeyes’ freshman settles in, a 31-24 type game is possible. Nevertheless, both teams’ recent scoring trends and Ohio State’s likely game plan lean toward fewer points.
The Pick: Under 51 (-112)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
The moneyline is tempting for USC backers at +195, which implies roughly a 34 percent win probability. That is not unreasonable given the quarterback situation. However, the Trojans’ offense has not shown enough lately to trust an outright upset over an elite defense. We prefer taking the points rather than chasing the plus price. As a result, there is no standalone bonus play here.
The key storyline is availability. Watch for Day’s starting quarterback announcement and the final status of USC’s questionable players before kickoff. If Ohio State’s freshman looks sharp early, the Buckeyes’ talent edge can take over. If not, this projects as a low-scoring, one-score game.
Our picks for Ohio State vs. USC:
- USC +6.5 (-112)
- Under 51 (-112)
NCAAF Ohio State vs. USC FAQ: Saturday October 31, 2026
What time does the Ohio State vs. USC game start?
Ohio State vs. USC kicks off at 7:30 PM ET (4:30 PM PT) on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The Big Ten matchup is played on Halloween night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, with USC serving as the home team.
What channel is the Ohio State vs. USC game on?
The Ohio State vs. USC game airs nationally on NBC. Coverage of the prime-time Big Ten matchup begins with the 7:30 PM ET kickoff from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and it is one of the featured prime-time games on Saturday’s college football schedule.
Is Julian Sayin playing against USC?
No, Julian Sayin is not expected to play against USC. The Ohio State quarterback suffered a shoulder injury in the Oct. 17 win over Indiana and is projected to miss several weeks. Freshmen Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair are the candidates to start, and Ryan Day had not publicly named a starter.
Who won the last meeting between Ohio State and USC?
Ohio State won the last meeting between the schools, beating USC 24-7 in the 2017 Cotton Bowl. Saturday’s game is their first matchup since then and the first time the two programs have met as members of the Big Ten Conference.
Is Ohio State or USC ranked?
Ohio State is ranked No. 2 in the AP Top 25 entering the game. USC is unranked this week, falling out of the AP poll for the first time this season after its 24-7 loss at Wisconsin. The Buckeyes are 6-1 overall, while the Trojans are 6-2.