Ohio State and USC are set to clash on Halloween night in a massive Big Ten showdown. The Buckeyes enter this one with a record of 6-1 overall and 4-0 in Big Ten play, while USC brings in a record of 6-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play. 

OSU is still in the mix as a top national championship contender, but uncertainty looms over their quarterback situation as they head to Los Angeles. On the flip side, the Trojans are looking to recover from a lackluster offensive showing in their last game at Wisconsin. All of this sets us up for some winning #2 Ohio St. vs. USC picks!

#2 Ohio St. vs. USC Predictions for CFB Week 9, Saturday, 10/31

With both squads aiming for a solid finish, this matchup poses an intriguing betting scenario. Ohio State boasts one of the best defenses in the country, while USC gets the advantage of home-field support in this one. 

However, the questions surrounding each team's offense make it tough to predict the outcome with confidence. Current #2 Ohio St. vs. USC odds have the total set at 51.5 points, which seems a bit high given the uncertainty surrounding the offenses in this matchup. This is exactly what our #2 Ohio St. vs. USC predictions are focused on.

#2 Ohio St. vs. USC Expert Pick: Under 51.5 (-112 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

Of course, when looking at any #2 Ohio St. vs. USC picks, the first thing to note is the Buckeyes’ signal caller. Ohio State is facing a major shift at quarterback since Julian Sayin's injury might sideline him for the season. Freshman Luke Fahey is set to step in, but the starting role is still up in the air.

Fahey has had limited playing time, completing nine out of 13 passes for 203 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. While those stats hint at his potential, there's a big leap from limited play to starting on the road against a Big Ten team, especially on Halloween night in LA.

To ease the transition for their young quarterback, Ohio State will look to rely more on its defense, which could lead to a conservative offensive strategy if Fahey struggles early on. Although the Buckeyes have averaged 39.3 points per game this season with Sayin at the helm, it's tough to expect them to keep up that scoring pace with an inexperienced quarterback taking charge.

On the flip side, USC has its own offensive issues to tackle. After a tough 24-7 defeat against Wisconsin, where they only managed 241 total yards and ended up with negative rushing yards, the Trojans' offensive line problems became glaringly obvious.

Ohio State poses a much tougher challenge than the Badgers, as their defense allows only 13.4 points and 264.3 total yards per game. If USC can't get their rushing game going, Maiava might find himself in predictable passing situations, giving Ohio State the chance to apply pressure and disrupt their rhythm. Even with the Trojans playing at home, facing this level of defense is a tall task.

The spread is tricky as well. Ohio State is a significant road favorite, but the quarterback situation raises questions about how convincingly they can win. On the other hand, USC's recent struggles make it hard to back them confidently as the home underdog.

Instead of picking a side in this game filled with uncertainties, focusing on the total seems like a better play for our #2 Ohio St. vs. USC predictions. With a new quarterback for Ohio State, USC coming off a lackluster seven-point game, and the Buckeyes bringing a top-notch defense to Los Angeles, it’s plausible to expect a more controlled game than the total suggests. At 51.5 points, there’s a good chance both offenses might not reach their usual output.

 

 

 

How To Watch #2 Ohio St. vs. USC - CFB Week 9

  • Date: Saturday, October 31st
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
  • TV: NBC

#2 Ohio St. vs. USC Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

When breaking down the upcoming #2 Ohio St. vs. USC predictions, it's essential to consider the latest #2 Ohio St. vs. USC odds from FanDuel Sportsbook:

  • Money Line (ML): Buckeyes -250 | Trojans +205
  • Spread: Buckeyes -6.5 (-122) | Trojans +6.5 (+100)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 51.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

 

 

 

#2 Ohio St. vs. USC Injury Report & Latest News

Ohio State Injury Report

  • J. Jackson, RB - Out (Foot)
  • B. Jackson, RB - Questionable (Shoulder)
  • J. Sayin, QB - Out (Arm)
  • A. Valerio-Hudson, WR - Questionable (Undisclosed)
  • T. Rogers, RB - Questionable (Undisclosed)
  • B. Christian, TE - Questionable (Undisclosed)

USC Injury Report

  • M. Bowman, TE - Questionable (Undisclosed)
  • K. Reddick, S - Questionable (Undisclosed)
  • D. Redeaux, RB - Questionable (Undisclosed)
  • R. Ison, WR - Questionable (Undisclosed)
  • S. Huard, QB - Questionable (Undisclosed)
  • R. Tezeno, WR - Questionable (Foot)
  • T. Anderson, WR - Out (Undisclosed)
  • C. Simms, WR - Out (Knee)
  • K. O'Connor, OG - Out (Undisclosed)

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