Odds courtesy of TonyBet.
Ohio State vs USC Odds
Ohio State are road favorites at football betting sites, laying 6.5 points against USC. The Trojans return at +210 on the moneyline, while the total sits at 51.5 points.
USC leads the all-time series 13-10-1 and has won eight of the last 10 meetings. However, Ohio State won the most recent encounter, beating the Trojans 24-7 in the 2017 Cotton Bowl.
Ohio State vs USC Analysis
Ohio State has enjoyed another impressive campaign under Ryan Day, sitting at 6-1 overall and 4-0 in Big Ten play. Since suffering a heartbreaking 24-23 defeat to Texas, the Buckeyes have rattled off five straight victories, putting themselves firmly in the national championship conversation.
However, their latest win came at a high cost. Ohio State edged defending national champions Indiana 19-15 on October 17, but quarterback Julian Sayin suffered a throwing-arm injury and is out indefinitely. The sophomore threw for 2,007 yards and 19 touchdowns before going down, leaving freshman Luke Fahey expected to take over under center.
Fahey has completed nine of 13 passes for 203 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in limited action. He'll face a difficult test in his first start, especially in a hostile environment. Fortunately, the Buckeyes boast one of the nation's most dangerous receivers in Jeremiah Smith, who has already reeled in 52 catches for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Ohio State's defense has also been outstanding, allowing only 13.4 points and 264.3 yards per contest. That unit will need another strong performance to ease pressure on Fahey against a USC offense that can put points on the board.
The Trojans have experienced their share of ups and downs this season, sitting at 6-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play. Lincoln Riley's squad was riding a four-game winning streak before suffering an ugly 24-7 defeat at Wisconsin last Saturday.
USC's usually explosive offense struggled tremendously in Madison, managing just 200 total yards. Quarterback Jayden Maiava completed 31 of 50 passes for 257 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while the rushing attack failed to establish any rhythm.
Despite that setback, Maiava remains one of the Big Ten's most efficient quarterbacks. The senior leads the conference with 2,303 passing yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging nearly 288 yards per game. USC is also posting 32.8 points per contest, giving them plenty of offensive firepower.
However, the Trojans will need to protect Maiava against a formidable Ohio State defense. USC has struggled to run the football consistently, averaging just 131.1 yards per game on the ground. If the hosts become too pass-heavy, the Buckeyes could make life extremely difficult for Riley's offense.
Ohio State vs USC Picks
Ohio State are undoubtedly the better team, but losing Sayin is a massive blow to their offense. Asking an inexperienced freshman to cover nearly a touchdown on the road against USC feels like a tall order, especially with the Trojans desperate to bounce back.
Maiava gives the hosts a significant advantage at quarterback, and I expect USC to respond with a much sharper performance in front of their home crowd. The Buckeyes should still have enough talent to win, but this could be a close contest. I’ll take the Trojans ATS.
Pick: USC +6.5 (-104)/TonyBet
