Second-ranked Ohio State (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten) will aim to remain unbeaten in conference play when it visits USC (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) on Saturday night at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Series History and Recent Form
USC leads the all-time series 13-10-1, though Ohio State won the most recent meeting 24-7 in the 2017 Cotton Bowl. The Buckeyes have won five consecutive games and are 2-1 on the road this season. The Trojans are 4-1 at home in 2026 and sit seventh in the Big Ten standings.
Betting Odds and Trends
Ohio State opens as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 50.5 points, down from an opening total of 55.5. The Buckeyes are 5-2 against the spread this season, while USC is 2-6. On the money line, Ohio State is -245 and USC +200.
Projection Model Analysis
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates each FBS game 10,000 times, projects the game to go over the 50.5-point total. The over has hit in three of Ohio State's last five games and five of USC's last nine. Ohio State leads the Big Ten in scoring at 39.3 points per game; USC averages 32.8 points, seventh in the conference.
The model forecasts Ohio State quarterback Luke Fahey, a true freshman starting in place of the injured Julian Sayin, to throw for 270 yards and two touchdowns. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava is projected for over 235 yards and one touchdown. The computer predicts 51 combined points, with the over hitting in 51% of simulations. The model also indicates one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations.
Entering Week 9, the model is on a 68-59 run on top-rated college football picks, returning nearly $400 for $100 players.
