About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After enjoying a week off, the Ohio State football team hits the road to head out to the West Coast to take on a USC team that sorely needs to engineer an upset.
The Buckeyes are in the driver's seat (along with UCLA ) for the Big Ten title, sitting at 4-0, but a stumble of any sort with a challenging schedule ahead could open the door for other teams like this same Trojans squad that's looking to stay in the hunt for the Big Ten and a College Football Playoff appearance.
We've already taken a look at what the ESPN FPI says about the Buckeyes' chances of beating USC on Saturday, and we've also looked at the odds and a prediction , but we're continuing to make the rounds of predictions thanks to the wonderment of the worldwide web.
That's right, we're adding another prediction to the mix, one from ESPN's resident analytics expert, Bill Connelly. He used the well-known SP+ analytics model to predict the final score of Ohio State vs. USC, and the model believes we'll see a decently high-scoring game in SoCal.
Ohio State Buckeyes cheerleaders celebrate a touchdown during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day talks to Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Indiana Hoosiers fans cheer during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Indiana Hoosiers fans react during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate following the 19-15 win over the Indiana Hoosiers in the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti motions during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Luke Fahey (13) runs during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Payton Pierce (26) reacts during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes fans tailgate prior to the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Officials separate Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers players during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker TJ Alford (17) celebrates following the 19-15 win over the Indiana Hoosiers in the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Indiana Hoosiers take the field during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes safety Jaylen McClain (8) celebrates a sack fumble during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) warms up prior to the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker TJ Alford (17) celebrates a fumble recovery during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) The Ohio State Buckeyes do the quick cals drill during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate following the 19-15 win over the Indiana Hoosiers in the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Indiana Hoosiers mascot Hoosier walks past an Indycar as the team takes the field during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Riley Pettijohn (5) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes fans celebrate following the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) leaves the field past Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes tackle Indiana Hoosiers running back Lee Beebe Jr. (29) during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Christian Alliegro (14) warms up during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day walks past an Indiana Hoosiers Indycar prior to the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia takes the field for the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Luke Fahey (13) runs during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Carson Hinzman (75) motions during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) takes a snap from o75o#2\ during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Mason Williams (86) catches a pass behind Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Rolijah Hardy (5) during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Arthur Smith takes the field for the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Indiana Hoosiers fans react during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Christian Alliegro (14) hits Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Josh Hoover (10) during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 1 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes cheerleaders celebrate a touchdown during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 1 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes cheerleaders celebrate a touchdown during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 2 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day talks to Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 3 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Indiana Hoosiers fans cheer during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 4 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Indiana Hoosiers fans react during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 5 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate following the 19-15 win over the Indiana Hoosiers in the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 6 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti motions during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 7 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Luke Fahey (13) runs during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 8 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Payton Pierce (26) reacts during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 9 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes fans tailgate prior to the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 10 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Officials separate Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers players during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 11 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker TJ Alford (17) celebrates following the 19-15 win over the Indiana Hoosiers in the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 12 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Indiana Hoosiers take the field during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 13 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes safety Jaylen McClain (8) celebrates a sack fumble during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 14 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) warms up prior to the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 15 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker TJ Alford (17) celebrates a fumble recovery during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 16 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire The Ohio State Buckeyes do the quick cals drill during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 17 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate following the 19-15 win over the Indiana Hoosiers in the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 18 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Indiana Hoosiers mascot Hoosier walks past an Indycar as the team takes the field during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 19 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Riley Pettijohn (5) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 20 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes fans celebrate following the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 21 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) leaves the field past Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 22 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes tackle Indiana Hoosiers running back Lee Beebe Jr. (29) during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 23 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Christian Alliegro (14) warms up during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 24 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day walks past an Indiana Hoosiers Indycar prior to the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 25 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia takes the field for the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 26 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Luke Fahey (13) runs during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 27 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Carson Hinzman (75) motions during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 28 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) takes a snap from o75o#2\ during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 29 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Mason Williams (86) catches a pass behind Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Rolijah Hardy (5) during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 30 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Arthur Smith takes the field for the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 31 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Indiana Hoosiers fans react during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) 32 / 32 Best photos of Ohio State vs. Indiana from Saturday | Buckeyes Wire Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Christian Alliegro (14) hits Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Josh Hoover (10) during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch) Will Ohio State football beat USC? ESPN's final score prediction Ahead of Ohio State vs. USC, ESPN's Bill Connelly predicted the final score using his popular SP+ metrics . Connelly has the Buckeyes winning by almost two touchdowns.
Final Score Prediction : Ohio State 33, USC 21. Connelly does mention that there's no adjustment for the quarterback, so consider how either Luke Fahey or Tavien St. Clair (or both) play as the x-factor in this one, filling in for the injured Julian Sayin .
Connelly gives Ohio State a win probability of 77%.
Ohio State is No. 1 in ESPN's SP+ team rankings , the same spot it has been for a few weeks now.
Ohio State has an overall rating of 28.6, ahead of No. 2 Georgia (27.1). USC's SP+ ranking is quite a few spots behind the Buckeyes at No. 19 with an overall rating of 14.2.
To break down Ohio State's rating by units, SP+ gives the Buckeyes a 39.2 rating on offense (No. 4 nationally) and an 10.7 rating on defense, which is still No. 1 nationally. On special teams, Ohio State has a 0.1 rating, a significant improvement from prior weeks, landing at No. 62 overall (a 40-spot jump).
Breaking down USC's SP+ ranking, the model gives the Hoosiers a 36.6 rating on offense that's No. 9 nationally, a 22.4 rating on defense (No. 39 in the nation), and a -0.1 rating in special teams (No. 89).
According to Connelly, SP+ is "simply a measure of the most sustainable and predictable aspects of football. If you're lucky or unimpressive in a win, your rating will probably fall. If you're strong and unlucky in a loss, it will probably rise."
"SP+ is not a résumé ranking, so it does not automatically give credit for big wins or particularly brave scheduling -- no good predictive system does," he adds.
Kickoff for Ohio State-USC in Week 9 of the 2026 college football season is 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The game can be seen on NBC, with Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge on the call, and with Kathryn Tappen reporting from the sidelines.
Additionally, you can catch the game on radio via the Learfield radio broadcast team of Paul Keels and Jim Lachey. The banner station for the Ohio State Radio Network is 1460 WBNS radio (AM).
Sept. 5: vs. Ball State Cardinals (W, 56-3)
Sept. 19: vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (W, 59-3)
Sept. 26: vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (W, 42-19)
Oct. 10: vs. Maryland Terrapins (W, 45-16)
Nov. 28: vs. Michigan Wolverines , Noon, Fox
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: ESPN analytics predict final score of Ohio State vs. USC Saturday
Source: Sports
