USC faces Ohio State without starter
The Trojans prepare for a sold-out matchup against the Buckeyes, who are searching for a new quarterback while their top receiver remains a Heisman threat.
By Julia Novak ·
The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes arrive in Los Angeles with a critical void at quarterback, yet their offense remains dangerous due to wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The unranked USC Trojans must limit Smith, who is a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy and the projected top pick in the 2027 NFL draft, to stand a chance against the conference-leading squad.
Head coach Lincoln Riley compared Smith to his former Texas Tech star, Michael Crabtree. Riley stated that Smith may be the closest thing to the dominance he has seen at the college level in recent years. This comparison underscores the difficulty of the task facing the Trojans, who are 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has not named a starting quarterback for Saturday’s game. The Buckeyes are 6-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play. Freshman Luke Fahey has completed nine of 13 passes for 203 yards and two interceptions in four games. Sophomore Tavien St. Clair has thrown five of seven passes for 52 yards and one interception in two appearances. Both players lack extensive experience, creating uncertainty for the defense.
Smith leads the Big Ten with 984 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He averages 140.6 receiving yards per game and 7.4 yards per catch. USC’s defense currently allows 8.1 yards per reception and 216.4 receiving yards per game. Trojans safety Prophet Brown noted that the team must focus on its own execution rather than the opponent’s ranking.
The Buckeyes may rely more on the running game to protect their inexperienced signal caller. Bo Jackson leads the rushing attack with 542 yards on 107 carries. Ja’Kobi Jackson, who has 356 yards on 59 carries, is out with a Lisfranc injury. Isaiah West, with 133 yards on 28 rushes, is expected to replace Jackson in the rotation.
USC’s passing offense ranks second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State. Quarterback Jayden Maiava has support from receivers Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Trent Mosley. The Trojans face a pass defense that allows 171.4 yards per game. Running back King Miller leads the ground attack, while senior Waymond Jordan remains questionable after an ankle injury. The game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
USC defensive tackle Jide Abasiri said the team is estimating the new quarterback’s tendencies based on limited film. Freshman Luke Wafle, who has three sacks in the last three games, will play on the edge to pressure the young signal callers. The Trojans hope their stronger rushing defense will help contain the Buckeyes' dual-threat capabilities.
