Week 9 in the Big Ten comes with a heavyweight showdown in Los Angeles and a few other spots that could get interesting fast. Ohio State heads to USC with a new quarterback situation hanging over the Buckeyes, while Wisconsin tries to keep momentum after knocking off USC and Indiana hosts Minnesota with ESPN’s “College GameDay” in town.
The trip to Kinnick is another tricky one for Wisconsin, even with Iowa dealing a major blow. Running back Kamari Moulton has been ruled out for the rest of the season, and that takes away the Big Ten’s second-leading rusher behind Rutgers’ Antwan Raymond.
Iowa’s path has to go through its defense, especially after last week’s 13-10 loss to Minnesota in a game that turned into a rock fight. The Hawkeyes can’t count on the offense to carry them, and losing Moulton makes that even harder.
Wisconsin hasn’t exactly been humming on that side either. Quarterback Colton Joseph has managed just 66 yards and 58 yards passing in the last two weeks, which doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
Still, winning at Kinnick is never simple.
Final score: Iowa 17, Wisconsin 13
Then comes the game everyone will be watching: Ohio State at USC. It has all the feel of a turning point for both programs.
The Buckeyes already have a loss, and with Julian Sayin out, Ryan Day has to choose between true freshman Luke Fahey and sophomore Tavien St. Clair at quarterback.
That decision alone makes this trip a stress test.
USC is coming off another bruising setback under Lincoln Riley, falling to Wisconsin 24-7 last weekend. The Trojans’ remaining schedule looks rough, so this is the kind of game that can change the mood around the program in a hurry.
Jayden Maiava gives USC the better quarterback situation, but he’ll have to handle Ohio State’s defense after throwing at least one interception in both of USC’s biggest games this season. Clean football is the standard here.
Ohio State traveling across the country without a settled plan at quarterback is a real concern, and USC looks positioned to answer after last week’s loss.
Final score: USC 27, Ohio State 20
The rest of the slate is a quick-hit batch of predictions:
Illinois 27, Maryland 24
Michigan 24, Rutgers 3
No. 4 Indiana 27, Minnesota 10
No. 20 Northwestern 31, Oregon 17
No. 7 UCLA 38, Nevada 10
Penn State 27, Purdue 24
Nebraska 31, Washington 27
In Other News...
USC Faces A Defining Ohio State Test Jide Abasiri Set The Tone
With No. 2 Ohio State coming to town, USC is spending the week where these kinds of games often get decided: at the line of scrimmage. Junior defensive tackle Jide Abasiri helped set that tone as the Trojans prepared for one of their biggest tests yet, stressing the need to match the Buckeyes physical style and treat the matchup like a true measuring stick. His voice carries extra weight after working back from a leg injury, and he also made clear that the young players around him have been part of the reason the defense has kept moving forward.
Abasiri pointed to the growth of a true freshman and a Michigan State transfer as examples of the kind of contributions USC needs if it wants to stand up to an elite opponent. He also offered a glimpse into the teams mindset and the culture around fan behavior, framing this game as part of a larger standard rather than a one-off event. For the Trojans, the challenge is bigger than the opponent on the schedule. It is about whether they can turn that talk about physicality into something that holds up for four quarters. [Read more 🡒]
Arch Manning Just Became Texas Biggest Quarterback Watch
Arch Mannings future at Texas has suddenly become one of the sports most closely watched storylines, and the ripple effect reaches all the way to USC. Even with no public indication that Manning is ready to leave Austin, the speculation around a possible move for the 2027 season has already turned into a broader recruiting and roster-watch conversation, with analysts and insiders floating familiar powers like Ole Miss, Georgia, USC and Miami as possible fits.
For the Trojans, the intrigue is obvious. USC has been tied to the discussion because of the kind of quarterback talent it always attracts and the way coaching connections and roster openings can shape these high-end decisions, even if nothing concrete has surfaced. For now, it is still a theory more than a timeline, but when a name like Manning enters the portal rumor mill, every program with quarterback ambition has to pay attention. [Read more 🡒]
USC Has No Margin For Empty Talk Against Ohio State
After the loss to Wisconsin, USC players spent the week sounding less interested in making promises than in fixing the basics before Ohio State arrives. The defensive side of the ball in particular talked about the need for sharper fundamentals and a more consistent edge in practice, a reminder that the Trojans know they cannot afford a loose stretch with a heavyweight opponent waiting next on the schedule.
Lincoln Riley also addressed the outside noise and confirmed he remains with the program, cutting off at least one distraction as USC tries to steady itself. Amid the football fallout, freshman wide receiver Ethan Feaster added a different kind of note to the week by launching a breast cancer awareness merchandise campaign to support related charities, a small but notable off-field effort as the Trojans try to regain traction. [Read more 🡒]