USC Trojans defeat Ohio State Buckeyes 30-18: Recap, Betting Results & AiQ Picks
Sat, Oct 31, 2026 · NCAAF · Ohio State Buckeyes 18, USC Trojans 30
The USC Trojans beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 30-18 on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The USC Trojans covered the spread as 6.5-point underdogs. The game went under the closing total of 50.5, with 48 points combined. AiQ's moneyline pick in this game lost.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. USC Trojans final score and game recap
The USC Trojans led 14-3 after the first quarter and 20-9 at halftime. They outscored the Ohio State Buckeyes 10-9 in the second half. They led at the end of every quarter.
The leading performers, from the box score:
- Luke Fahey (Ohio State Buckeyes): 21/38 passing for 260 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions.
- Bo Jackson (Ohio State Buckeyes): 21 carries for 121 yards.
- Jayden Maiava (USC Trojans): 15/22 passing for 222 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions.
- Trent Mosley (USC Trojans): 5 catches for 101 yards, 1 receiving touchdown.
Who covered the spread in Ohio State Buckeyes vs. USC Trojans?
The USC Trojans covered the spread as 6.5-point underdogs and won outright, by 12 points.
The spread opened and closed at Ohio State Buckeyes -6.5.
Did Ohio State Buckeyes vs. USC Trojans go over or under the total?
The game went under: 48 points combined against a closing total of 50.5, under by 2.5. 29 of the 48 points came in the first half.
The total opened at 51.5 and closed at 50.5.
How did AiQ's Ohio State Buckeyes vs. USC Trojans predictions do?
AiQ's moneyline pick in this game lost.
- Moneyline: the Ohio State Buckeyes to win at -245, a loss (-$100 on a $100 bet).
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. USC Trojans game prop results: team totals, first half and first quarter
AiQ does not pick game props. This is how the sportsbook markets settled.
- USC Trojans team total 21.5: the over, paying -108, with 30 scored.
- First-half spread: USC Trojans +3.5 covered, paying -112.
- First-quarter total 9.5: the over, paying -145, with 17 points scored.
- Ohio State Buckeyes team total 28.5: the under, paying -115, with 18 scored.
- First-half total 24.5: the over, paying -112, with 29 points scored.
- First-half moneyline: USC Trojans won the first half, paying +154.
- First-quarter moneyline: USC Trojans won the first quarter, paying +120.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. USC Trojans odds: sportsbook value and line movement
Shortly before the start, the consensus moneyline had the Ohio State Buckeyes at -245 and the USC Trojans at +198. With the bookmaker's margin removed, that made the Ohio State Buckeyes a 68% favorite. The USC Trojans won as the underdog at +198: $198 profit on a $100 bet. On AiQ's moneyline pick, the Ohio State Buckeyes, the best price before the game was -235 at Fanatics: priced below fair (−1.1% value).
The total moved down from 51.5 to 50.5, and the game went under.
Ohio State Buckeyes and USC Trojans betting trends: 2026 season
This result left the Ohio State Buckeyes 6-2 in the 2026 regular season (4-0 at home, 2-2 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 5 of 7 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 3 times and under 4 times.
This result left the USC Trojans 7-2 in the 2026 regular season (5-1 at home, 2-1 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 3 of 9 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 4 times and under 5 times.
What's next for Ohio State Buckeyes and USC Trojans?
Next for the Ohio State Buckeyes: the Oregon Ducks at home on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Next for the USC Trojans: at the Indiana Hoosiers on Friday, November 13, 2026.