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Ohio State at USC

Sports · Heat 5.0 / 10 · 3 shows · 15m airtime

Ohio State plays at USC in a Week 9 college football game on October 31, 2026, with the Buckeyes favored by 6.5 and the total at 52.5. The picks have settled on Ohio State minus 6.5, with Taylor Lewan taking the Buckeyes for five units and Josh Pate for three, the latter citing USC's effort after the Wisconsin and Oregon losses. Earlier reasoning pointed to USC's weak right side of the offensive line and passive linebacker play. No counterargument has surfaced in the coverage so far.

How 3 podcasts covered it

  1. The Rich Eisen Show, 2026-10-27 (13:33 to 15:44)
    Previews Ohio State at USC through quarterback uncertainty
    Pate and Eisen preview Ohio State at USC through the quarterback uncertainty and Lincoln Riley's job status, with Pate arguing the Oregon loss, not this game, was Riley's fork in the road. Stays inside the preview and pick already on the record.
  2. Josh Pate's College Football Show, 2026-10-28 (32:08 to 33:42)
    Backs Ohio State's ground game against USC
    Opens the Ohio State at USC pick with the line and total, then argues the Buckeyes cover on the ground against a USC defense that waits for blocks and a right side of the line that struggles. Lewan lays five units on Ohio State minus 6.5.
    New angle: Ohio State is favored by 6.5 at USC with a 52.5 total; Lewan takes the Buckeyes for five units.
  3. Josh Pate's College Football Show, 2026-10-28 (39:16 to 41:30)
    Adds Pate's pick on Ohio State minus 6.5
    Pate makes his own pick in the Ohio State at USC game, taking the Buckeyes minus 6.5 for three units, and grounds it in USC's effort: a 58-yard passing day in the Wisconsin loss and a double-digit home loss to Oregon with a backup quarterback.
    New angle: Pate takes Ohio State minus 6.5 for three units, citing USC's effort after the Wisconsin and Oregon losses.
  4. Josh Pate's College Football Show, 2026-10-28 (43:46 to 50:25)
    Argues Ohio State covers despite a new quarterback
    Long segment on Ohio State at USC: USC's line getting pushed around by Wisconsin, Maiava under pressure, and the case for Ohio State minus 6.5 even with a new quarterback. All three land on the same side already on the record.
  5. First Take, 2026-10-30 (37:03 to 39:32)
    Previews Ohio State at USC through the QB question
    Previews Ohio State at USC through the quarterback question: Ryan Day still has not named a starter, with Fahey and St. Clair splitting reps. Stephen A. Smith picks USC in the upset on desperation and home turf; the rest lean on Ohio State's talent and its 58-1 record against unranked teams.
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