No. 2 Ohio State Faces USC on Halloween Night Without Quarterback Julian Sayin

The No. 2 Ohio State football team travels to Los Angeles to face the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in a Halloween night primetime showdown. The Buckeyes enter the contest carrying an undefeated Big Ten record, but must navigate a major shift on offense after losing starting quarterback Julian Sayin to an arm injury in the fourth quarter of a 19-15 victory against Indiana.

While head coach Ryan Day has kept his exact lineup confidential following the team's bye week, reports indicate that true freshman Luke Fahey is expected to take over starting duties. Fahey, a California native, has completed 9 of 13 passes this season for 203 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Coach Day has also noted that fellow quarterback Tavien St. Clair could see playing time, leaving open the possibility of utilizing multiple signal-callers.

The transition to a freshman quarterback presents a significant challenge for the Buckeyes on the road. Fahey will be the first true freshman to start under center for Ohio State since Kyle McCord filled in for an injured C.J. Stroud against Akron in 2021. To ease the burden on the young quarterback, the coaching staff is expected to lean heavily on the running game, featuring running back Bo Jackson, and rely on short, secure passing plays.

Ohio State will lean heavily on its elite defense, which ranks among the best in the nation. Under the direction of the defensive coaching staff, the Buckeyes have held opponents to just 13.4 points per game and limited six out of seven opponents to under 20 points. This defensive strength will be crucial as the offense adjusts to its new leadership under center and attempts to neutralize a talented USC passing attack led by quarterback Jayden Maiava.

USC enters the matchup looking to rebound from a disappointing 24-7 defeat against Wisconsin, a game in which the Trojans managed minus-17 rushing yards. Despite that setback, USC boasts a potent offense that ranks high in success rate and conversion efficiency. Head coach Lincoln Riley's squad aims to utilize home-field advantage at the Coliseum to secure a signature victory against a top-tier conference opponent.

The game carries major implications for the Big Ten race and college football playoff positioning. Oddsmakers have installed Ohio State as approximately a 6.5- to 7-point road favorite, with an over/under set around 51.5 points. Rain is forecasted in Los Angeles, which could impact field conditions and further complicate the offensive execution for both teams as they battle under the lights on NBC.