Ohio State relies on Jeremiah Smith as USC faces quarterback uncertainty

USC faces a critical test against the No. 2 ranked Ohio State team this Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Trojans, currently unranked with a 6-2 record, must contain wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who is widely expected to be the first overall pick in the 2027 NFL draft. Smith leads the Big Ten with 984 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 140.6 yards per game. His presence provides the Buckeyes with a primary offensive weapon, especially as the quarterback position remains unsettled.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has not named a starter for the game. The two candidates are freshman Luke Fahey and sophomore Tavien St. Clair. Fahey, from Mission Viejo High, has completed 9 of 13 passes for 203 yards and two interceptions in four appearances. He offers mobility as a runner. St. Clair, who has thrown for 52 yards and one interception in two games, possesses greater arm strength. Day noted that the lack of an established starter creates a dynamic similar to the start of a season.

USC head coach Lincoln Riley compared Smith to his former player Michael Crabtree, a two-time All-American at Texas Tech. Riley stated that Crabtree was the most dominant receiver he had ever coached, but Smith is the closest comparison he has seen recently. The Trojans defense has allowed 8.1 yards per reception and 216.4 passing yards per game. Riley said the team must make life difficult for the new quarterbacks and adapt quickly to their tendencies.

The Buckeyes may rely on their running game to manage the clock and limit the workload for their signal caller. Bo Jackson leads the team with 542 rushing yards on 107 attempts. Ja’Kobi Jackson, who has 356 yards, is out after surgery for a Lisfranc injury. Isaiah West, with 133 yards on 28 carries, is expected to step into a larger role. USC defensive tackle Jide Abasiri noted that the lack of college film on the new quarterbacks makes the matchup difficult to predict.

USC offensive coordinator Jayden Maiava leads a passing attack that is second in the conference behind Ohio State. The Trojans must avoid pressure from the Buckeyes defense, which allows 171.4 passing yards per game. Coach Matt Patricia, a former NFL head coach, directs that unit. Maiava may need to throw short passes to avoid mistakes. The Trojans run game, led by King Miller, has struggled to find explosive plays this season.

Waymond Jordan, the second-leading runner for USC, did not play in the previous week against Wisconsin. Riley said Jordan is still recovering from an ankle injury and is working to regain speed. Jordan has not appeared on the availability report for the upcoming game. The Trojans hope to build on the recent success of unranked teams that have upset top-25 opponents at home.

Safety Prophet Brown emphasized that the team must focus on its own performance rather than the status of the opponent. The game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with the venue sold out. The contest will be broadcast on NBC channel 4 and 710 AM radio.