USC faces a season-defining clash as the Ohio State Buckeyes storm into the Coliseum, bringing a top-ranked defense and high stakes to Los Angeles on Halloween night. With USC standing as a home underdog at 6-2, questions swirl around Lincoln Riley’s job security and the team’s ability to rebound from a crushing loss to Wisconsin.
USC faces a season-defining clash as the Ohio State Buckeyes storm into the Coliseum, bringing a top-ranked defense and high stakes to Los Angeles on Halloween night. With USC standing as a home underdog at 6-2, questions swirl around Lincoln Riley’s job security and the team’s ability to rebound from a crushing loss to Wisconsin. A USC victory could revive College Football Playoff hopes, repair the team’s reputation, and rally booster support.
Can the Trojans overcome Ohio State’s suffocating defense—ranked sixth in total defense and fourth in scoring defense—and secure a signature win for Riley’s coaching career? A loss could mark the program’s third in just nine games, potentially sealing playoff elimination and intensifying scrutiny on leadership. The stage is set for a dramatic showdown that could reshape the fortunes of USC football.