Quarterback Change: Ohio State Visits USC With Freshman at Helms

No. 2 Ohio State travels to Los Angeles on Saturday to face a USC team that has dropped out of the rankings. The Buckeyes enter the contest as 7-point favorites, a spot that reflects their status as national title contenders despite a recent stumble. Ohio State lost to Texas in Week 2 and is now 6-1 overall, with a 2-1 record against AP Top 25 opponents. The Trojans are 6-2 overall and 0-1 against ranked teams after falling to Wisconsin.

Julian Sayin is out for the game, leaving freshman Luke Fahey to make his first road start. Fahey has attempted just 13 passes in limited action this season. The Buckeyes’ offense may need to simplify its approach without Sayin’s experience managing the game. Running back Bo Jackson is the primary option, but his production varies by location. He averages 5.9 yards per carry at home but drops to 3.8 yards per carry on the road this season.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava performs better in the Coliseum. He completes 70% of his passes for 9.2 yards per attempt at home, totaling 13 touchdowns and three interceptions. On the road, his completion percentage falls to 62.6% and his average drops to 7.3 yards per attempt. Maiava is most effective on intermediate throws, posting seven touchdowns and one interception on passes between 10 and 19 yards deep. This range allows USC to operate efficiently without relying on deep bombs.

DraftKings lists the money line at Ohio State -265 and USC +215. The over/under sits at 51.5 points. Ohio State’s defense limits opponents to successful plays on only 32% of their passes. USC’s running game may not be strong enough to reduce the pressure on Maiava, suggesting a lower-scoring affair. The Buckeyes have averaged just 6.3 and 4.3 points in the fourth quarter on the road over the last two seasons, which could impact late-game momentum.

Ryan Day’s Ohio State team holds a 58-1 record against unranked opponents. The sole loss in that span came against Michigan in 2024. The matchup is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and will air on NBC. The odds are subject to change as the game approaches.