The Four Deciding Factors for the Buckeyes Against USC
What will determine the outcome when Ohio State travels to Los Angeles to take on USC? Can the Buckeyes get enough production from their quarterback? Will Ohio State's injured defenders return in time? And can Matt Patricia's defense exploit the weaknesses USC showed in its loss to Wisconsin? In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr break down four major deciding factors that could determine whether Ohio State leaves Los Angeles with another victory. With Luke Fahey expected to start at quarterback, the Buckeyes face questions about how much they'll need from their passing game. Meanwhile, the potential return of Jay Timmons could make an enormous difference against USC's talented young receiving corps. Tony and Tom also discuss the growing pressure on Lincoln Riley, the importance of getting off to a fast start, and whether Matt Patricia should unleash an aggressive blitz package against USC quarterback Jayden Maiava. 00:00 – Welcome to Buckeye Weekly: Ohio State vs. USC preview 00:22 – Factor No. 1: Quarterback play — What does Ohio State need from Luke Fahey? 01:25 – Does Fahey need to win the game or simply avoid losing it? 02:39 – How many passing yards will Ohio State need against USC? 04:05 – Protecting the quarterback and managing USC's defensive pressure 05:11 – How different would expectations be with Julian Sayin? 05:43 – Injuries, the running game, and the potential impact of rainy weather 07:08 – Factor No. 2: Jay Timmons' availability — Why his return could change everything 08:07 – USC's dangerous freshman receivers and Ohio State's secondary depth 09:16 – Can Cam Calhoun step up if Timmons can't play? 10:53 – Factor No. 3: USC's response to adversity — Can Lincoln Riley's Trojans handle the pressure? 10:58 – Why Ohio State needs to start fast and put USC on its heels 12:40 – Could rainy weather and a frustrated home crowd work against USC? 12:58 – Factor No. 4: Matt Patricia's defensive pressure — Attacking Jayden Maiava 13:53 – Why Ohio State should bring the blitz against USC 15:13 – A bold prediction for an unexpected Buckeye pass rusher 15:40 – Your thoughts: What will decide Ohio State vs. USC? 15:55 – Buckeye Insiders member events, tailgates, and exclusive giveaways 17:05 – Final thoughts and sign-off Join the Buckeye Insiders community! Get exclusive Ohio State football coverage, insider analysis, premium message board discussions, and access to special member events at: https://BuckeyeInsiders.com Upcoming member opportunities include an exclusive event in Los Angeles, a tailgate before the Oregon game, and chances to win pregame field access for Ohio State games against Northwestern and Michigan. Join the conversation!