The No. 2 Buckeyes, fresh off a bye week, face a Trojans team led by quarterback Jayden Maiava, who has thrown for 2,302 yards and 19 touchdowns this season.
Ohio State arrives in Los Angeles with a new look. The No. 2 Buckeyes (6-1, 4-0) are beginning life without quarterback Julian Sayin as they take on USC (6-2, 3-2) following a bye week.
The Trojans counter with Jayden Maiava, who has emerged as arguably the toughest quarterback Ohio State has faced this season. Through eight games, Maiava has thrown for 2,302 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions, adding two rushing touchdowns of his own. USC's receiving corps features a player who once committed to Ohio State before landing with the Trojans instead.
The matchup has drawn attention as a potential trap game for Ohio State, with USC described as a wounded team fighting with its back against the wall. Some analysts see the setup as ripe for an upset, pointing to Ohio State's shorthanded quarterback situation and USC's motivation to salvage its season.
The game is being framed as a Halloween test for the Buckeyes, who will need to prove they can win on the road against a determined opponent even with their starting quarterback situation in flux.