Ohio State at USC Week 9 College Football Matchup Ohio State at USC Matchup - Week 9
Sat, Oct 31 2026 · Week 9 · 🏟 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA · Turf · 93,607 cap
Ohio State✈ 1,976 mi-3 hr TZ
VS
USC
Home
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Ohio State
30
USC
21
P&R Line Ohio State -9
P&R Total O/U 50.5
Confidence 69 Good
Matchup Prediction
Ohio State has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Ohio State entering this game.
Momentum Control
61.3%
Ohio State wins
Lean
Game Control
75.9%
Ohio State wins
Solid
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → Ohio State · 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
🛋 Ohio State Coming off BYE
Ohio State 2026 Schedule
Ohio State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Ohio State vs Ball State-38
Sat 9/12Ohio State at Texas+0.5
Sat 9/19Ohio State vs Kent State-36.5
Sat 9/26Ohio State vs Illinois-20.5
Sat 10/3Ohio State at Iowa-10.5
Sat 10/10Ohio State vs Maryland-28
Sat 10/17Ohio State at Indiana+3
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31Ohio State at USC-9
Sat 11/7Ohio State vs Oregon-6
Sat 11/14Ohio State vs Northwestern-28
Sat 11/21Ohio State at Nebraska-20.5
Sat 11/28Ohio State vs Michigan-15.5
USC 2026 Schedule
USC's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29USC vs San José State-31.5
Sat 9/5USC vs Fresno State-17.5
Sat 9/12USC vs Louisiana-26.5
Sat 9/19USC at Rutgers-15
Sat 9/26USC vs Oregon+5.5
Sat 10/3USC vs Washington-4.5
Sat 10/10USC at Penn State-1
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24USC at Wisconsin-16.5
Sat 10/31USC vs Ohio State+9
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/14USC at Indiana+14.5
Sat 11/21USC vs Maryland-17
Sat 11/28USC at UCLA-8.5
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
Ohio State PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
All 4 Agree
→ Ohio State
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ Ohio State
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Ohio State
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Ohio State #10
+0.468
USC #7
+0.306
Ohio State Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Ohio State #3
+0.726
USC #4
+0.572
Ohio State Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Ohio State #57
0.163
USC #63
0.159
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Ohio State Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Ohio State #5
+8.357
USC #10
+7.303
Ohio State Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Ohio State #2
+0.971
USC #11
+0.833
Ohio State Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Ohio State #68
71.0
USC #120
72.8
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Ohio State Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Ohio State Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Ohio State #5
27.0
USC #13
17.0
Offense Rating
Ohio State #3
29.0
USC #9
26.2
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Ohio State #5
2.0
USC #21
9.1
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Ohio State Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Ohio State #4
2.31
USC #11
2.00
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Ohio State #1
0.15
USC #7
0.31
Ohio State +0.31
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 61.3% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Ohio State Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Ohio State #1
72.8
USC #39
53.5
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Ohio State #3
15.4
USC #41
31.3
Ohio State +19.3
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 75.9% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
Ohio State
Ryan Day #1
82–12 (87%) · Yr 8 at school
OC Arthur Smith Yr 1 #67
DC Matt Patricia Yr 2 #27
Staff Rating
3.71 #12
USC
Lincoln Riley #15
36–17 (68%) · Yr 5 at school
OC Luke Huard Yr 2 #40
DC Gary Patterson Yr 1 #34
Staff Rating
3.46 #20
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself