Final Ohio State vs USC Prediction, Injury Report & Updated Odds
By Chris Amberley in College Football
Published:
- Ohio State visits USC for a Halloween night Big Ten showdown at the Coliseum
- Quarterback uncertainty hangs over one of the biggest college football games of the weekend
- Read below for the final Ohio State vs USC prediction, injury report and updated odds
No. 2 Ohio State travels to Los Angeles to face USC tonight, in a Big Ten matchup at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT / 7:30 p.m. ET. The Buckeyes are favored by 6.5 points, while the game total is 51.5.
The central question for bettors is whether Ohio State’s defense can limit a USC offense expected to rely on its passing game if the Trojans fall behind. Uncertainty around Ohio State’s quarterback situation adds another layer to the matchup, with both the spread and total hinging on how the offenses adjust.
Below is the final Ohio State vs USC prediction, the latest injury report and the updated Ohio State vs USC odds. Compare prices across the college football odds board before locking anything in.
Final Ohio State vs USC Prediction
Final prediction: Ohio State covers -6.5 and the game stays Under 51.5.
Both plays lean on the same edge: Ohio State’s defense. The spread asks the Buckeyes to win by a touchdown or more on the road, while the Under needs USC’s offense to stay stuck in the rut it has shown lately.
Ohio State vs USC Pick #1: Ohio State -6.5
- Pick: Ohio State -6.5 (-122 at BetMGM)
Ohio State is the pick to cover. The National Championship odds contender’s defensive profile gives them a path to keep USC from scoring efficiently, and their season averages of 13.4 points allowed and 264.3 total yards allowed per game are strong indicators of that advantage. USC has averaged 32.8 points and 434.8 total yards per game, so the Trojans have enough offense to make this competitive; the key is whether they can sustain drives against the visitors.
Ohio State also carries a +2 turnover differential, compared with -2 for USC. That four-turnover swing supports the case for the road favorite: extra possessions and favorable field position can help Ohio State create separation without needing a shootout. The quarterback situation adds uncertainty, so this is a play on the Buckeyes’ defense and overall matchup rather than an assumption about who starts under center.
Ohio State vs USC Pick #2: Under 51.5
- Pick: Under 51.5 (-111 at BetMGM)
The Under is the other preferred angle. Ohio State’s defensive numbers, 13.4 points allowed per game and a 38.4% opponent third-down rate, point toward a difficult matchup for USC’s offense. The Buckeyes can put pressure on the Trojans to convert in longer situations, while a lead for Ohio State could encourage a more controlled game rather than a fast-paced exchange of scores.
USC’s offense has also cooled, averaging 21 points and just 75.7 rushing yards per game over its last three outings. Still, this total carries some risk: both teams have scored at a high clip this season.
The Under case depends on Ohio State disrupting the Trojans’ rhythm and limiting explosive plays, not simply on season averages. If the Buckeyes control the pace and force USC into predictable passing situations, staying under 51.5 is a realistic outcome.
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Ohio State vs USC Injury Report
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is out for the foreseeable future . Luke Fahey is expected to start in his place, but nothing has been confirmed. That distinction matters: a change under center could affect the Buckeyes’ offensive approach and their ability to cover a 6.5-point spread.
Sayin has thrown for 2,007 yards, 19 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 68.2% of his passes this season. Fahey has completed 9 of 13 attempts for 203 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in limited work. Check for an official update close to kickoff before placing a wager.
Ohio State vs USC Team Stats
The biggest matchup edge sits on the defensive side. Ohio State allows 264.3 yards per game, well below USC’s 331.3, and the Buckeyes have also allowed far fewer points. USC’s stronger third-down rate offers a counterpoint, but the Trojans will need to turn it into sustained scoring against a defense that has limited opponents all season. Ohio State can win by controlling possessions and leaning on that defensive advantage rather than requiring both teams to trade touchdowns.
Ohio State vs USC Updated Odds
Odds verified at BetMGM on October 30.
Ohio State’s -250 moneyline implies roughly a 71% chance of winning outright, while USC at +200 implies about 33%. The key takeaway is the juice on the spread: Ohio State -6.5 costs more than USC +6.5, a sign the Buckeyes side has been the more expensive one to back. The moneyline prices are shown for reference only and are not additional picks.
Shop prices with the best College Football betting apps before kickoff, since lines and player availability can change.
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
