No. 2 Ohio State and USC meet under the lights on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, with live television coverage on NBC and streaming available on Fubo and Peacock, CBS Sports reported. The game marks the first time the two historic programs will face each other as conference opponents since USC joined the Big Ten.
How the Teams Enter the Matchup
The Ohio State Buckeyes carry a 6-1-0 ATS record and hold the No. 2 spot in the AP Top 25 into the contest, according to CBS Sports. However, the team travels to Los Angeles without starting quarterback Julian Sayin, who sustained an injury during a 19-15 win over Indiana. Stepping into the role is Luke Fahey, making his first career start. CBS Sports noted that while breaking in a new quarterback on the road is difficult, Ohio State has past precedent for success in similar spots, pointing to first-start road wins by Craig Krenzel against Michigan in 2001, Kenny Guiton at Cal in 2013, and CJ Stroud at Minnesota in 2021.
The USC Trojans enter at 6-2 and unranked for the first time all season following a 17-7 defeat at Wisconsin. USC features the No. 10 passing attack in college football, averaging 303.6 passing yards per game under quarterback Jayden Maiava. While the Trojans hold a 9-2 home record in Big Ten games since joining the conference, they hold a 1-2 home mark against ranked opponents and sit at 5-14 overall against ranked teams under head coach Lincoln Riley.
Statistical Comparison and Betting Lines
Bleachernation.com reported that Ohio State enters as a 6.5-point favorite with a moneyline of -245, while USC is listed at +200. The over/under for total points is set at 51.5.
| Team | Record | Passing Offense (YPG) | Rushing Defense (YPG Allowed) | Scoring Defense (PPG Allowed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State Buckeyes | 6-1 | 323.1 (Ranked 5th) | 92.9 (Ranked 12th) | 13.4 (Ranked 4th) |
| USC Trojans | 6-2 | 303.6 (Ranked 10th) | 114.9 (Ranked 33rd) | 25.0 (Ranked 77th) |
The matchup pits Ohio State’s 16th-ranked pass defense against USC’s potent air attack. The Buckeyes average 39.3 points per contest, good for 10th nationally, while the Trojans surrender 25.0 points per game.
Jeremiah Smith and the Passing Game
Receiver Jeremiah Smith leads the Ohio State offense as the nation’s top pass-catcher, holding program records for career receptions, yards, and touchdowns while establishing himself as a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy. CBS Sports highlighted that Saturday marks Smith’s first game working alongside Fahey. It remains undetermined how the quarterback transition will affect Smith’s production or impact his Heisman candidacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What channel is broadcasting the Ohio State versus USC game?
NBC holds the broadcast rights for television viewers, while Fubo and Peacock provide live streaming options.
How many times have Ohio State and USC played historically?
The two programs have met 24 times previously, with notable games including seven matchups at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and eight contests at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
What was the outcome of USC’s most recent game?
USC dropped its previous contest 17-7 on the road against Wisconsin.
Next Game on the Schedule
Following the conclusion of Saturday night’s contest at the Coliseum, both programs continue their Big Ten conference schedules into November as the regular season heads toward its final stretch.
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