The college football season will open with a marquee Week 0 clash as the Ohio State Buckeyes travel to face USC, a matchup that pits a traditional powerhouse against a program eager to re‑assert its national relevance.
A revamped offense meets a quarterback’s comeback
USC’s signal‑caller Jayden Maiava, who opted out of the NFL Draft last year, has returned to college football with a determination to prove he can lead the Trojans back to the summit. Coach Lincoln Riley, who took over the program last winter, has publicly praised Maiava’s work ethic and arm talent, suggesting the quarterback could be the catalyst for a resurgence.
Analysts, however, remain cautious. USA Today’s Paul Myerberg has questioned whether Maiava can shoulder the offensive load and keep USC in the conversation for a College Football Playoff berth, especially given the depth of the Big Ten.
Playoff implications and early conference tests
Both Ohio State and USC are viewed as potential playoff contenders entering the Big Ten, and early conference victories could dramatically reshape the postseason picture. A win for USC over traditional rivals such as Oregon and Penn State would elevate the stakes of the Ohio State encounter, turning it into a de facto playoff preview.
The game is slated for national television, underscoring its importance to the broader season narrative, and it forms part of Ohio State’s Halloween road swing — a stretch that could define the Buckeyes’ championship aspirations.