Ohio St. Buckeyes vs USC Trojans Predictions October 31, 2026
Ohio State will beat USC, 24-20, in the October 31 matchup, with the teams’ October 19 ranking gap supplying the strongest, though limited, reason to favor the Buckeyes. Julian Sayin’s reported indefinite absence and Luke Fahey’s expected first start narrow that advantage considerably. Neither the supplied spread nor total offers a strong enough case for an actionable wager. The official recommendation is Pass.
Ohio St. Buckeyes vs USC Trojans prediction and best bet
Ohio State is the pick to win, but confidence is low. The Buckeyes were No. 3 and USC No. 16 in Ohio State’s October 19 announcement. That dated ranking comparison gives Ohio State a modest starting point for the forecast, not a guarantee that its advantage survives a major quarterback change.
The October 20 report identifying Fahey as the expected starter makes a narrow victory more reasonable than a comfortable road cover. His limited passing results include both touchdowns and interceptions, leaving room for very different outcomes. Ohio State 24, USC 20 is the forecast; Pass is the best bet. USC’s points and the Under deserve consideration separately, but neither earns an official wager.
Odds, game time and how to watch
Game: Ohio State at USC, 2026 college football season.
Kickoff: Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California. USC announced the sellout October 22.
Broadcast: NBC.
Quarterback: The October 20 On3 / Lettermen Row report identified Luke Fahey as Ohio State’s expected first-time starter.
SportsJaw odds: Ohio St. Buckeyes -6.5 (-117); USC Trojans +6.5 (-111). Moneyline: Ohio St. Buckeyes -233; USC Trojans +186. Total: Over 50.5 (-147); Under 50.5 (-111).