Ohio State at USC: Can Riley Find Success vs. Top 5 Opponent?

USC (6-2) coach Lincoln Riley has a 1-6 record against Top 5 opponents. Can Riley improve on that record by getting a victory over No. 2 Ohio State (6-1) Saturday at the Coliseum?

Date: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026

Time: 6:30 p.m. CT (4:30 p.m. PT)

Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA.

TV: NBC

Betting Odds: Ohio State -6.5-point favorite

The Trojans are coming off a tough 24-7 defeat on the road at Wisconsin. In that game, Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava threw two interceptions in the first quarter.

USC had no answers for the Badgers defense, as they sacked Maiava five times. Further, the Trojans gained 239 total yards, their lowest output of the season.

Maiava still leads the Big Ten in the following passing categories:

In this game, the real Maiava needs to stand up. Not the Maiava that struggled at Wisconsin. The Trojans need the Maiava that led USC to victory on the road at Penn State.

Against the Nittany Lions, Maiava threw for 301 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions in a 31-23.

Maiava triggers the No. 2 passing offense in the Big Ten.

In Ohio State, the Trojans face a team that has lost their starting quarterback, Julian Sayin, for “several weeks,” according to head coach Ryan Day.

Sayin’s replacement is true freshman Luke Fahey. He has seen action in four games this season and has thrown for 203 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.

The Trojans defense will key on this fact and try to put pressure on the young, inexperienced Fahey and cause disruption to the Buckeyes passing game.

The Buckeyes rank in the top ten nationally in total offense, passing offense, scoring offense, total defense, and scoring defense.

Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith leads the Big Ten with 984 yards and 12 touchdowns, yards per catch (18.92 ypc) and receiving yards per game (140.6).

The USC defense must make Smith a non-factor in this game.

For USC, their talented freshmen, Luke Wafle, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, and Trent Mosley must step up and play the game of their young careers.

Dixon-Wyatt and Mosley have combined for nine touchdowns this season.

Wafle has 33 tackles, which is fourth on the team. However, Wafle leads the team in tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (3.0).

If Riley can coach the Trojans to only their second victory over a top five team, the jubilation that will follow will douse the flames that seemingly have engulfed his coaching seat, at least for this week.