Ohio State vs. USC Prediction: Picks, Props and Best Bets (Oct. 31)

OSU vs USC Betting Picks in Summary

• USC-Ohio State Under 51.5 (-110)
• Jayden Maiava Under 256.5 Passing Yards (-114)

The Big Ten takes center stage Saturday night when USC hosts No. 2 Ohio State in one of the most intriguing games of the Week 9 college football slate.

Ohio State enters the matchup dealing with a major question at quarterback after Julian Sayin's injury, while USC will look to take advantage at home behind a productive passing offense. With uncertainty surrounding the Buckeyes' offense and one of the nation's best defenses on the other side, there are a couple of interesting betting angles to target.

Using the college football odds at FanDuel Sportsbook as a guide, here are the best bets for USC vs. Ohio State.

All college football odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

Ohio State vs USC Picks and Prediction

USC-Ohio State Under 51.5 (-110)

Ohio State's quarterback uncertainty makes the under particularly appealing in this matchup.

The Ohio State Buckeyes will be without Julian Sayin, and coach Ryan Day has yet to announce whether Luke Fahey or Tavien St. Clair will start. Both quarterbacks received first-team work during the Buckeyes' bye week, per Day, and it's possible both see the field against USC.

That could lead Ohio State to lean more heavily on its running game and defense, especially on the road. The Buckeyes are allowing only 13.4 points and 264.3 total yards per game, including just 171.4 passing yards per contest.

The USC Trojans have averaged 32.8 points per game, but this is a significant step up in competition. USC has also struggled to run the football consistently, averaging 131.1 rushing yards per game, which could force the Trojans to have to attack the strength of Ohio State's defense.

With Ohio State potentially taking a more conservative approach offensively and its defense capable of keeping USC in check, the under is my preferred way to attack the game total.

Jayden Maiava Under 256.5 Passing Yards (-114)

Jayden Maiava has put up strong passing numbers this season, averaging 287.9 yards per game, but Saturday's matchup is considerably tougher than what he has faced most weeks.

As we just mentioned, Ohio State is surrendering just 171.4 passing yards per game, ranking among the nation's stingiest pass defenses. The Buckeyes have held opponents to only 13.4 points per game while giving up 264.3 total yards, so there aren't many easy avenues for opposing quarterbacks.

Maiava has cleared 256.5 passing yards in seven of eight games, making this an aggressive under, but the matchup warrants it. USC's offense is heavily dependent on the passing game, and I don’t think they’ll have a ton of success versus the Buckeyes.

There is also some correlation with the game under. If Ohio State's defense controls the matchup and the Buckeyes use a slower, run-heavy approach with an inexperienced quarterback, USC could have fewer possessions than usual.

Maiava's season-long production makes this number look reasonable on the surface, but against an Ohio State defense allowing nearly 115 fewer passing yards per game than his season average, the under is worth targeting.

College Football Betting FAQ

What are the most common college football bets?

The most common college football bets are the point spread, moneyline, and game total. Bettors can also wager on player props, team totals, alternate spreads, and futures such as conference champions or the national championship winner.

How does the point spread work in college football betting?

The point spread gives one team a handicap to create a more even betting market. If a team is listed at -7.5, it must win by at least eight points for a spread bet on that team to cash. A team listed at +7.5 can lose by seven points or fewer — or win outright — and still cover the spread.

What does over/under mean in college football?

An over/under, also called a game total, is a wager on the combined number of points scored by both teams. Bettors can choose whether the final score will finish over or under the sportsbook's posted total.

What should you consider before betting on college football?

Matchups, quarterback play, offensive and defensive efficiency, injuries, pace, home-field advantage, and coaching tendencies can all be important.

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Looking for the latest college football odds? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook and check out all of the college football betting options. You can also check out our How to Bet on College Football guide.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.