No. 2 Ohio State visits USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Oct. 31, riding at least 5 straight wins. The game turns on whether Jayden Maiava and the Trojans' passing game can move the ball against a Buckeyes defense that has barely bent all season.

The Matchup

Ohio State Buckeyes: 6-1, No. 2
USC Trojans: 6-2, unranked
Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
TV: NBC
Line (DraftKings): OSU -6.5, O/U 50.5

USC Trojans tickets
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What Decides It

Ohio State's defense gives USC very little room to keep pace. The Buckeyes score nearly 40 points a game and allow about 13. None of their last five opponents scored more than 19, and one managed just 3.

USC sits on the other end of that ledger. The Trojans allow 25 points a game, gave up 41 at home in late September and scored only 7 in last week's loss. A team that leaky on defense needs its offense to be sharp, and the Buckeyes are built to stop that from happening.

USC's passing game runs into a Buckeyes pass defense that gives up far less than the Trojans usually gain. The Trojans throw for about 304 yards a game, while the Buckeyes allow only about 171 passing yards. One side's season-long trend has to break.

Maiava has been efficient, with 19 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. The reverse matchup offers USC no relief: Ohio State throws for about 323 yards a game against a Trojans pass defense allowing about 216.

The market expects a lower-scoring game than either offense usually produces. These teams combine for about 72 points a game, yet the total sits more than 20 points below that.

Ohio State's last outing was a 19-15 road win, and USC scored just 7 points last week. The lean here is the under.

Players to Watch

Ohio State Buckeyes

Passing: Julian Sayin – 131-192, 2,007 YDS, 19-4 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Bo Jackson – 107 ATT, 516 YDS, 4 TD
Receiving: Jeremiah Smith – 52 REC, 984 YDS, 12 TD

Smith is the matchup problem. His 12 receiving touchdowns are triple the total of USC's leading receiver, and he gives Ohio State a clear target against a Trojans pass defense that gives up yards.

USC Trojans

Passing: Jayden Maiava – 183-274, 2,302 YDS, 19-5 (TD-INT)
Rushing: King Miller – 125 ATT, 602 YDS, 4 TD
Receiving: Kayden Dixon-Wyatt – 32 REC, 443 YDS, 4 TD

Miller matters more than his line suggests. USC runs for about 131 yards a game against an Ohio State run defense allowing about 93. A productive day from him would take pressure off Maiava.

Prediction

Ohio State 30, USC 17. The Buckeyes' defense has held every recent opponent under 20, and USC arrives off its worst offensive showing of the stretch. Sayin and Smith should find enough against a Trojans pass defense that gives up yards, and Ohio State covers while the game stays under the total.