No. 2 Ohio State Set to Clash With USC in First Big Ten Meeting
AI-generated image · US National Wire · Based on a photo by Quintin Soloviev (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)
The Buckeyes look to extend their winning streak against a Trojans squad dealing with key injury questions.
The second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten) travel to the Los Angeles Coliseum on Saturday night to face the USC Trojans (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) in their first matchup as Big Ten conference opponents, according to CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated.
Ohio State enters the contest on a five-game winning streak, coming off a 19-15 victory over Indiana on Oct. 17. The Buckeyes lead the conference in scoring, averaging 39.3 points per game, though they will be without quarterback Julian Sayin. True freshman Luke Fahey is expected to start in Sayin's place, with the SportsLine Projection Model via CBS Sports forecasting Fahey to throw for two touchdowns and 270 yards.
USC, currently seventh in the conference, is coming off a 24-7 loss to Wisconsin in Week 8. The Trojans are 4-1 at home in 2026, but they face several roster challenges. Sports Illustrated reports that tight end Mark Bowman, a critical run blocker, is a game-time decision after missing three games with a hamstring injury. Additionally, running back Shahn Alston is listed as questionable, and offensive lineman Hayden Treter is officially out.
On the defensive side, USC's Jahkeem Stewart and Jamaal Jarrett are listed as questionable, though Stewart told media he feels great and is eager to perform, as reported by Sports Illustrated.
CBS Sports notes that Ohio State is a 6.5-point favorite for the 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff. While USC leads the all-time series 13-10-1, Ohio State won the most recent meeting, a 24-7 victory in the 2017 Cotton Bowl.