Ohio State is on the road in Week 9 for their first full game without starting QB Julian Sayin. The betting odds for the game already tell a clear story.
The Ohio State Buckeyes' Week 9 matchup on the road against the USC
Trojans is a big one, and the betting line already tells a story.
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Ohio State heads into the primetime Halloween game without quarterback Julian Sayin
for the first time since 2024. Oddsmakers still have the Buckeyes as a solid road favorite in Big Ten play.
At one point, this game looked even bigger on paper because USC figured to be ranked. Instead, the 5-2 Trojans are unranked after a blowout loss to Wisconsin. They're now facing a must-win situation against Ohio State if they want to reach the postseason.
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Ohio State is without Julian Sayin against USC
For Ohio State, this game carries extra weight. Sayin suffered an injury against Indiana in the game before the bye week, and it all but knocked him out for the season. It's the first time the Buckeyes will play without him under center since 2024.
Ohio State hasn't named a starting quarterback for the trip to USC. Still, everything we know points to Luke Fahey getting the nod against the Trojans.
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Even with a first-time starter on the road, the The Buckeyes will want to run the ball a bit more to take pressure off a new quarterback, and that's going to be vital for the offense to move consistently.
Oddsmakers are siding with the Buckeyes
FanDuel has Ohio State as a 6.5-point favorite on the road, with the moneyline available at -240. Despite missing their starting quarterback, the Buckeyes are just about a touchdown favorite over USC.
A big reason why is the defense. Ohio State allows just 13.4 points per game, which ranks in the top 5 in the country. That unit draws a USC offense that wants to air the ball out behind quarterback Jayden Maiava. Throwing the ball is how the Trojans find their offensive success. If Ohio State can slow down Maiava, its chances of picking up another quality road win are strong.
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On the flip side, USC isn't that strong defensively. The Trojans' defensive line is solid and carries the unit. However, the defense ranks 76th in the country at 25 points allowed per game. That should give Fahey and the Ohio State offense a chance to settle in.
It's a big game for both programs for different reasons. Ohio State can drop this one and still be in the mix for the College Football Playoff come January. A loss would knock the Trojans' playoff chances out the window. It could also spell the end of Lincoln Riley's tenure in Southern California.
Pretty large Big Ten implications are on the line, and oddsmakers are clearly siding with the Buckeyes on the road. Saturday night will show whether Ohio State can pass its first test without Sayin.
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This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Oddsmakers have taken a clear stance on what is going to happen in Ohio State's Week 9 road battle at USC
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