The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes head to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to face the USC Trojans on Saturday, October 31, at 7:30 p.m. ET, with live broadcasts on NBC and simultaneous streaming on Peacock.
Halloween Night Stakes in Los Angeles
College football games on Halloween night are a rarity, bringing an extra layer of unpredictability to the event. This weekend, the stakes hit a peak in Southern California as the Buckeyes put an undefeated Big Ten record on the line against a USC squad fighting to stay in Big Ten title contention. Ohio State enters this matchup as one of the teams to beat in the conference alongside UCLA, boasting the top overall offense and the second-best defense in the Big Ten.
For Ohio State, the path forward is straightforward. If they can keep winning, they’ll lock down a spot in the College Football Playoff and a shot at their second national title in three years. That offensive engine relies heavily on steady play under center from quarterback Julian Sayin, who has already surpassed 2,000 passing yards this year. Yet, the centerpiece of their offensive attack is Heisman contender Jeremiah Smith. He is the best receiver in the Big Ten and one of the best in the country, having hauled in 52 catches for nearly 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns through just seven games, creating a problem for even the sturdiest defense.
USC Looks to Bounce Back at Home
On the other sideline, the Trojans are searching for answers following a difficult loss to Wisconsin in Madison last week. Sitting at 3-2 in conference play after previous setbacks against Oregon, USC enters the contest with something to prove. While their high-powered offense features quarterback Jayden Maiava—currently the top passer in the Big Ten with 19 touchdown throws—their defense has struggled against even middling competition this season. Facing an Ohio State defense known for its toughness will test every snap.
The broadcast team calling the action from Los Angeles features Noah Eagle on play-by-play, analysis from Todd Blackledge, sideline reporting by Kathryn Tappen, and rules analysis from Terry McAulay.
