Ohio State Quarterback Uncertainty: USC Seeks Redemption Against Jeremiah Smith

USC will face its most difficult defensive test of the season on Saturday when it hosts No. 2 Ohio State at a sold-out Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The matchup pits the unranked Trojans (6-2 overall, 3-2 Big Ten) against the Buckeyes (6-1, 4-0), a team that enters the game coming off a bye week. The contest begins at 4:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on NBC and 710 AM.

The central challenge for USC lies in containing Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Smith leads the Big Ten with 984 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 140.6 yards per game. He is a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy and is widely projected as the top pick in the 2027 NFL draft. USC head coach Lincoln Riley compared Smith to Michael Crabtree, the former Texas Tech star and 10th overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft, calling Smith the closest thing to Crabtree he has seen at the college level.

Ohio State’s offensive uncertainty stems from the injury to starting quarterback Julian Sayin, who is out indefinitely. Head coach Ryan Day has not named a starter for Saturday. His primary options are freshman Luke Fahey and sophomore Tavien St. Clair. Fahey, a Mission Viejo High graduate, has completed 9 of 13 passes for 203 yards and two interceptions in four games. St. Clair has thrown for 52 yards and one interception in two appearances. Riley noted that the lack of film on these new quarterbacks creates a unique difficulty for the defense, as USC must adjust to unfamiliar tendencies.

The Buckeyes may rely more heavily on their run game to support their inexperienced signal callers. Bo Jackson leads the rushing attack with 542 yards on 107 carries. Ja’Kobi Jackson, who had 356 yards on 59 carries, is unavailable after surgery for a Lisfranc injury. Isaiah West, with 133 yards on 28 rushes, is expected to fill that role. USC’s defensive front, including NFL draft prospect Jide Abasiri and freshman edge rusher Luke Wafle, will need to disrupt the line of scrimmage to keep the young quarterbacks honest.

USC’s own offense presents specific hurdles. The Trojans’ passing game is second in the conference, but quarterback Jayden Maiava must avoid the Buckeyes’ pass defense, which allows 171.4 yards per game. Ohio State’s secondary is coordinated by Matt Patricia. USC may opt for quick passes to mitigate pressure. On the ground, King Miller leads a rushing attack that has struggled to find explosive plays. Senior Waymond Jordan, who missed the Wisconsin game, is still recovering from an ankle injury and was not listed on the availability report.

Trojans safety Prophet Brown emphasized the need for the team to focus on its own execution rather than the opponent’s ranking. Brown stated that there are no underdogs or favorites and that the team must play better than it has recently. USC’s defense has allowed 8.1 yards per reception and 216.4 receiving yards per game, metrics that must improve to keep the contest competitive.