Ohio State at USC - 2026 Matchup Preview
Ohio State logo Ohio State Buckeyes at USC TrojansUSC logo
Saturday, October 31st 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum - Los Angeles, CA

 
Buckeyes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Ryan Day (82 - 12)
Avg Score : 33 - 9 (31 - 8 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
OSU coming off BYE
Our Line: Ohio State -6  (SP+ OSU -13)
Projected Score: OSU: 28 - USC: 22 (50)
OSU Win prob: 66% | Cover: 50%
OSU Travel: 1976 miles, 3 hrs ahead
Trojans (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Lincoln Riley (36 - 17)
Avg Score : 36 - 23 (43 - 18 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Ohio State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Ohio State vs Ball State-53.5
Sat 9/12 Ohio State at Texas-5.5
Sat 9/19 Ohio State vs Kent State-49.5
Sat 9/26 Ohio State vs Illinois-21
Sat 10/3 Ohio State at Iowa-13.5
Sat 10/10 Ohio State vs Maryland-30
Sat 10/17 Ohio State at Indiana+2
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Ohio State at USC-6
Sat 11/7 Ohio State vs Oregon-6.5
Sat 11/14 Ohio State vs Northwestern-28.5
Sat 11/21 Ohio State at Nebraska-21.5
Sat 11/28 Ohio State vs Michigan-16.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Ohio State's Schedule
USC's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 USC vs Fresno State-27.5
Sat 9/12 USC vs Louisiana-32.5
Sat 9/19 USC at Rutgers-19.5
Sat 9/26 USC vs Oregon+2.5
Sat 10/3 USC vs Washington-5
Sat 10/10 USC at Penn State-3.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 USC at Wisconsin-19
Sat 10/31 USC vs Ohio State+6
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/14 USC at Indiana+10.5
Sat 11/21 USC vs Maryland-21
Sat 11/28 USC at UCLA-20.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for USC's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
OSU#10 (.31)52% (2)33.445% (47)2.99 (61)15558% (1)2684.83 (5)#3 (-.02)34% (6)9.331% (3)38% (32)2.64 (8)38.50.81
USC#7 (.33)49% (11)35.846% (41)3.16 (28)16952% (4)2964.66 (10)#64 (.16)45% (119)2347% (122)43% (81)3.53 (56)54.21.21.4
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
OSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
USC0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
OSU Offense1433.430.651.7%4.830.8234231552684.648%51%45%58%11%.31
USC Defense132317.945.4%3.531.4 - - - - - 47%51%47%43%16%.16
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
OSU Defense149.38.234.4%2.641 - - - - - 48%50%31%38%16%-.02
USC Offense1335.84348.9%4.661.2244651692965.248%50%46%52%13%.33

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Ohio State1433:0022.653%67%4.138.50.815.62.5129
USC1329:5023.751%64%5.854.21.21.45.52.4227.2
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
OSU Offense1448% (80)45% (47)33.6154.84.625 (60).08 (89)2.99 (61)73% (61)7% (14)0.78 (133)
USC Defense1347% (37)47% (122) - - - - .13 (88)3.29 (125)67% (32)11% (34)0.81 (6)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
OSU Defense1448% (50)31% (3) - - - - -.09 (4)2.5 (10)59% (9)11% (17)0.82 (7)
USC Offense1348% (81)46% (41)32.5169.25.229 (16).18 (36)3.16 (28)75% (47)7% (17)0.95 (74)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
OSU Offense1451% (54)58% (1)22.429.1268.29.21233 (22)8 (20).54 (3)1.4 (117)24% (2)39% (7).5 (12)4% (17)1.9 (90)
USC Defense1351% (95)43% (81) - - - - - - 12 (12).18 (41)1.6 (77)29% (110)33% (116).34 (93)5% (102)2.1 (112)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
OSU Defense1450% (89)38% (32) - - - - - - 8 (100).05 (5)1.2 (1)36% (12)23% (5).08 (5)5% (108)1.7 (7)
USC Offense1350% (61)52% (4)21.532.32969.213.726 (22)10 (34).52 (4)1.6 (36)27% (14)37% (11).5 (10)6% (65)2.2 (14)

Ohio State's Power Ratings
Ohio State's Power Rating: 28.96  #3
Ohio State's Offense Rating: 29.91  #3
Ohio State's Defense Rating: -2.53  #1
2026 Talent Rating: 1070.00  #6
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Ohio State's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Ohio State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 30.1  #2
Ohio State's Offense SP+ Rating: 37.6  #13
Ohio State's Defense SP+ Rating: 7.7  #1

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Ohio State: 28.96   USC: 23.36

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Ohio State: 30.1   USC: 16.9




USC's Power Ratings
USC's Power Rating: 23.36  #10
USC's Offense Rating: 28.12  #4
USC's Defense Rating: 8.30  #20
2026 Talent Rating: 1030.00  #8
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
USC's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
USC's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 16.9  #16
USC's Offense SP+ Rating: 38.9  #9
USC's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.0  #36

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


Ohio State Scoring
Offense: 33.4 PPG
Offense on Road: 30.6
Defense: 9.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 8.2

Ohio State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Ohio State 28
USC 22

Projected Total Points: 50
USC Scoring
Offense: 35.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 43
Defense: 23 PPG
Defense at Home: 17.9

USC's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
201712/29Ohio State24USC7Ohio State -9.5Ohio State65.5Under
200909/12Ohio State15USC18
200809/13USC35Ohio State3
TeamWinsCoversO/U
USC200 Overs
Ohio State111 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 11 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams1 - 20 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#3) OSU at (#10) USC
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatOSUUSC
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #3 #10
SP+SP+ #2 #16
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #6 #8
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Ohio State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
OSU OffUSC Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #2 #119
ExplosiveExp #124 #16
PPAPPA #10 #64
PowerPwr #3 #20
SP+SP+ #13 #36
Pts POPPO #5 #56
HavocHav #6 #63
Ohio State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
OSU OffUSC Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #47 #122
Run ExplRExp #133 #6
PPAExp #89 #88
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #61 #125
Stuff RateStuff #73 #86
TackleTak - NR
Ohio State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
OSU OffUSC Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #1 #81
Pass ExplPExl #117 #77
PPAExp #3 #41
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #14 #34
DB HavocDB #17 #102
USC on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCatUSC OffOSU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #11 #6
ExplosiveExp #33 #2
PPAPPA #7 #3
PowerPwr #4 #1
SP+SP+ #9 #1
Pts POPPO #10 #8
HavocHav #32 #57
USC Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
USC OffOSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #41 #3
Run ExplRExp #74 #7
PPAExp #36 #4
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #28 #10
Stuff RateStuff #37 #14
TackleTak - NR
USC Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCatUSC OffOSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #4 #32
Pass ExplPExl #36 #1
PPAExp #4 #5
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #17 #17
DB HavocDB #65 #108
Program Comparison
USC 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top 25 Contenders
'26 Profile: Up to CFP Hopefuls

OSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFB Elites
'26 Profile: Remains CFB Elites

Weather Forecast
Playing in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
OSU's OC Arthur Smith (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Julian Sayin30139177%36103289.2
Tavien St. Clair020%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Bo Jackson179109066.164
Isaiah West5931025.338
Ja'Kobi Jackson (Tr)279803.627
Jeremiah Smith32117.017
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jeremiah Smith8712431214.387
Devin Mccuin (Tr)65726811.252
Kyle Parker (Tr)31330410.643
Hunter Welcing (Tr)28296210.636

View Ohio State's Full Roster

OSU's DC Matt Patricia (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Earl Little II762002
Jaylen McClain530003
Christian Alliegro (Tr)488401
Payton Pierce442000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kenyatta Jackson2811722
Christian Alliegro (Tr)488401
Eddrick Houston214310
James Smith (Tr)267321
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dominick Kelly (Tr)30003
Jaylen McClain530003
Earl Little II762002

USC's OC Luke Huard (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jayden Maiava26540366%371124109.2
Sam Huard11100%100010.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
King Miller15697286.275
Waymond Jordan8857656.540
Jayden Maiava5415762.921
Riley Wormley51803.66
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Terrell Anderson (Tr)39629516.175
Tanook Hines34561216.551
Jaden Richardson12148112.343
King Miller1611106.920

View USC's Full Roster

USC's DC Gary Patterson (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Desman Stephens II863010
Christian Pierce643103
Deven Bryant (Tr)622012
Alex VanSumeren (Tr)502221
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kameryn Fountain3711610
Braylan Shelby276540
Jide Abasiri264420
Zuriah Fisher (Tr)194251
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Marcelles Williams370004
Christian Pierce643103
Kamari Ramsey212022