Ohio State's Quarterback Crisis Collides With USC's Offensive Slump
With Julian Sayin sidelined indefinitely, the No. 2 Buckeyes must rely on a freshman or sophomore to keep their title hopes alive against a struggling Trojans squad.
By Madison Lewis ·
Ohio State enters its game against USC on Thursday night with a quarterback situation that has rarely plagued the program in the modern era. With Julian Sayin out indefinitely due to an arm injury, the No. 2 Buckeyes are forced to turn to either freshman Luke Fahey or sophomore Tavien St. Clair. The team has had only two weeks to prepare for this spotlight moment, a significant adjustment for a squad that has historically avoided such long-term leadership gaps.
The Buckeyes are not without tools to manage the transition. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and his staff can lean on receiver Jeremiah Smith, who remains a primary target even when double-covered. However, the run game, currently ranked 98th in yards per carry excluding sacks, may need to step up, particularly if rainy conditions develop in Los Angeles. The passing game will remain the focal point, but the ground attack offers a potential stabilizing factor for a young quarterback.
USC presents its own set of challenges. The Trojans scored just seven points against Wisconsin in their previous matchup, marking the lowest output ever for a team under head coach Lincoln Riley. They are projected underdogs in three of their final four games, and their defense, while slightly more stable, remains vulnerable against the pass. The offense will likely need to generate at least 21 points to secure an upset, a threshold that requires vastly improved protection for Jayden Maiava. Against Wisconsin, Maiava took five sacks and threw two interceptions, while the running backs combined for only 39 yards.
The betting markets reflect the uncertainty surrounding Ohio State's transition. The current line lists the Buckeyes as 6.5-point favorites, while the SP+ projection favors Ohio State by 11.9 points and the FPI projection by 13.4 points. These numbers suggest that while the talent gap remains, the immediate risk associated with the quarterback change is priced into the market.
This game sits within a week of unusual volatility for the Big Ten and SEC. In the Big Ten, Northwestern and Minnesota will test Oregon and Indiana, respectively, with both programs dealing with their own quarterback injuries. Oregon lost Dante Moore for the season, and Indiana's Josh Hoover threw only one accurate pass against Michigan. These matchups could determine whether the remaining contenders stay alive in the conference race.
In the SEC, Georgia and Ole Miss face must-win scenarios before their scheduled showdown. Georgia, currently No. 3, hosts No. 17 Florida, a contest that serves as a litmus test for the Bulldogs' efficiency. Georgia has fumbled six times in its last two games but has improved its ability to gain big plays, achieving 20-plus yard gains on 10.5% of snaps. Florida, under new head coach Jon Sumrall, has shown inconsistency, winning big against Ole Miss and Texas but suffering blowout losses to Missouri and South Carolina.
Ole Miss, ranked No. 12, hosts Auburn in a game where the Rebels must avoid disaster. The Rebels are without running back Kewan Lacy, but backup Makhi Frazier has performed well. Auburn's defense ranks 69th in yards allowed per dropback, offering quarterback Trinidad Chambliss opportunities for playmaking. The current line favors Ole Miss by 13.5 points, with SP+ projecting a 10.7-point margin and FPI a 9.3-point margin.
The Big 12 also features high-stakes matchups, with Arizona facing Texas Tech and Utah visiting Cincinnati. Arizona has outscored its conference opponents by a combined 125-41 over its last three games, driven by a high completion rate and strong blitzing defense. Texas Tech must rebound from a poor performance in Cincinnati, where their offense ranked 57th in points per drive. Utah, ranked No. 6, faces a Cincinnati team that has been highly efficient at home but struggles on the road.
In the ACC, No. 1 Miami travels to North Carolina, a game that will test the Hurricanes' depth before they face a stronger opponent next week. Miami has played only one top-40 team, Wake Forest, and remains the clear leader in the conference. The outcome of these games across multiple conferences will shape the landscape for the upcoming weeks of the college football season.
