Ohio State’s trip to USC on Halloween has only grown in importance, and the Buckeyes may be asking a quarterback with no college starts to handle the spotlight. That makes the path to a win even more demanding, but the biggest swing factor in this game might not be on offense at all.
The real difference maker is on the defensive side, and it starts with Matt Patricia.
Patricia has been one of the driving forces behind Ohio State’s defensive rise in his second season with the program. His work has helped shape a unit that is tied for sixth-best in college football and allowing just 13 points per game. The Buckeyes had to prove they could keep up with last year’s defense, and after a shaky start, they have settled in and started humming.
A big piece of that success has come from Patricia bringing NFL concepts, formations and scheme ideas into the Buckeyes’ system. That has given Ohio State a sharper edge over the last two seasons, and it could matter even more against USC.
The Trojans are averaging 434.5 yards per game, with Jayden Maiava powering much of that production. Patricia’s challenge will be to speed Maiava up, keep him uncomfortable in the pocket and prevent him from settling in as a playmaker. Maiava has thrown five interceptions this season, and Ohio State’s defensive front could have a chance to force more mistakes, especially with Leroy Roker III out and Jay Timmons questionable for this week.
WR Brandon Inniss and DB Jay Timmons are questionable for Ohio State. Trojan questionables includes -- Jahkeem Stewart and Mark Bowman. pic.twitter.com/t9XL9puiId
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is one defender Patricia has had his eye on all season as a potential game-changer up front, and this could be the week Jackson’s full ability gets unlocked.
There is also the matter of the environment. The Memorial Coliseum will be packed, and Ohio State has not won a road regular-season game at USC in decades. Patricia has a chance to be a major reason that changes.
The attention will naturally stay on the Buckeyes’ quarterback situation, but the most important figure in this matchup may be standing on the sideline, wearing that familiar pencil in his hat.
In Other News...
Ohio State's Latest Recruiting Push Centers On Two Elite Visitors
Ohio States recruiting momentum is already stretching well beyond the current cycle, with the Buckeyes making another early move on one of the nations most intriguing young prospects. The staff recently extended an offer to Kuika Moaalii, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound athlete from St. John Bosco who is drawing interest from multiple major programs, a sign the Buckeyes are continuing to cast a wide net as they build for the future.
The attention does not stop there. Ohio State also remains in the mix for 2028 offensive lineman RMonie Edwards and linebacker Tahj Gray, two highly ranked prospects with long offer sheets of their own, and the coaching staff is pushing to get each of them on campus as it works to turn early relationships into real traction. For a program that lives on elite recruiting, the next step will be seeing which of these visitors eventually becomes more than just a name on the board. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State's USC Trip Now Rides On Ryan Day's Toughest Call
Ryan Day is staring at the kind of quarterback decision that can tilt a big game before it even kicks off. With Julian Sayin dealing with an injury, Ohio State has to choose between freshman Luke Fahey and sophomore Tavien St. Clair for the USC trip, and each option changes the feel of the offense in a different way. Fahey has flashed quick processing and mobility, while St. Clair brings the kind of size and arm strength that can stretch a defense.
The tradeoff is real, and it goes beyond simple experience. Faheys profile suggests a quarterback who can get the ball out and keep plays on schedule, even if he does not fit the usual mold, while St. Clair gives the Buckeyes more of a downfield profile but has been less steady with his accuracy. However Day leans, the choice will shape how Ohio State tries to attack USC and how much pressure falls on the rest of the offense to carry the load. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Cant Afford To Miss On Another Running Back Target
Ohio State has made no secret of how much it wants to strengthen its running back room, and the pursuit of four-star Nigel Newkirk has become part of that urgency. Newkirk, who is currently committed to Alabama, has lined up an official visit with the Buckeyes, giving the staff a chance to sell him on what Columbus can offer and why he should be part of the program's next wave at the position.
The need is real enough that this recruitment carries extra weight. Ohio State has already come up short on other running back targets and is trying to get its 2027 class pointed in a better direction after a season in which the backfield has not lived up to expectations. Landing Newkirk would not solve every issue on its own, but missing again would only deepen the pressure on a room that badly needs a lift. [Read more 🡒]