Ohio State vs USC Player Props: Best Bets for Saturday Night

• Two 300-yard passing attacks collide Saturday night at the Coliseum
• Ohio State’s quarterback situation remains a question heading into kickoff
• Read below for my top Ohio State vs USC player props and Saturday CFB best bets

Ohio State (6-1) visits USC (6-2) at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Saturday night, and this one features two of the most prolific passing attacks in the country. The Buckeyes average 323.1 passing yards per game and the Trojans average 303.6. It’s just the third Big Ten game since 2000 between teams each averaging at least 300 passing yards.

The biggest variable is under center for Ohio State. Julian Sayin, who is 18-3 as a starter, has an uncertain status, and true freshman Luke Fahey could get the start, though that has not been confirmed. USC is looking to bounce back after being held to seven points at Wisconsin. That was the first time the Trojans scored fewer than 17 points in a game under Lincoln Riley.

Kickoff is 7:30pm ET on Oct. 31. That uncertainty shapes how I’m attacking the Ohio State vs USC player props. I’m targeting players whose roles hold up no matter who takes the snaps for the Buckeyes.

Ohio State vs USC Player Props: Best Bets for Saturday Night

Smith’s anytime touchdown is the only quoted price on this card. At -161 on BetMGM, it implies roughly a 61.7% chance that he scores. The Maiava and Jackson overs are target lines rather than posted prices. Play them at 248.5 and 89.5 or better, and compare numbers across the top college football betting apps before locking anything in.

Ohio State vs USC Best Bet #1: Jeremiah Smith Anytime Touchdown

• Pick: Jeremiah Smith Anytime Touchdown (-161 at BetMGM)

Jeremiah Smith has 52 catches for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns through seven games. That makes him one of just six FBS players since 2000 to reach 50 receptions, 900 yards and 12 scores through seven team games. His 39 career receiving touchdowns already tie Braylon Edwards for the Big Ten record.

That production should travel no matter who starts at quarterback, because a freshman making his first start will lean on his most reliable target. Ohio State scores on 87.9% of its red-zone trips, which keeps chances coming, but that rate includes field goals. The real case is Smith’s own pace of more than 1.7 touchdowns per game, and -161 is a fair price for it.

Ohio State vs USC Best Bet #2: Jayden Maiava Over 248.5 Passing Yards

• Pick: Jayden Maiava Over 248.5 Passing Yards (target line)

USC is a different offense at the Coliseum. The Trojans average 318.6 passing yards per game at home, compared with 278.7 on the road. Maiava is also coming off career highs of 31 completions on 50 attempts at Wisconsin, making him the first Big Ten quarterback to throw 50 times in a game this season.

Ohio State’s defense is the obvious hurdle, but Maiava has handled this kind of test before. He has averaged 271.0 passing yards per game in 12 career starts against top-25 scoring defenses and is 8-4 in those games. A 248.5 target sits below his average in those matchups and USC’s home passing average, and if USC is chasing points, the volume will be there.

Ohio State vs USC Best Bet #3: Bo Jackson Over 89.5 Rushing Yards

• Pick: Bo Jackson Over 89.5 Rushing Yards (target line)

Bo Jackson drives the Ohio State ground game. He handles 28.6% of the Buckeyes’ touches, the fourth-highest share in the Big Ten, so his workload gives him a steady floor.

The quarterback uncertainty only strengthens this play. If Fahey makes his first career start, the simplest way to protect a freshman on the road is to keep feeding Jackson. A heavy carry count is exactly what clears 89.5.