Ohio State Faces USC as Freshman Quarterback Takes the Helm
The Buckeyes are road favorites against USC despite naming a freshman to start at quarterback.
Ohio State, ranked No. 2 nationally, is set to face USC with a freshman quarterback making his first career start on the road. The Buckeyes (6-1, 4-0) are 6.5-point favorites against the Trojans (6-2, 3-2) in a pivotal Week 9 matchup.
With starting quarterback Julian Sayin sidelined due to injury, Ohio State will rely on freshman Luke Fahey to lead the offense. The team has already suffered one loss this season, leaving little room for error as the College Football Playoff race intensifies.
The betting market's significant spread suggests confidence in Ohio State's defense to manage the game, even with an inexperienced quarterback. However, USC's offense, ranked No. 9 by SP+, presents a formidable challenge. Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava and his unit have shown offensive capability, which could test the nation's top-ranked defense.
USC's defense has also demonstrated strengths, particularly against the run. With a freshman quarterback under center for Ohio State, the Trojans may find it more challenging to exploit weaknesses in the secondary, potentially making the game more competitive.
The betting prediction favors USC to cover the 6.5-point spread, suggesting that the challenge of fielding a freshman quarterback on the road against a strong opponent like USC might be significant, even for a highly-ranked Ohio State team. This matchup is critical for both teams as they navigate the latter part of their regular seasons and jockey for playoff positioning.
