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The college football season has delivered thrilling moments in recent weeks, and Week 9 promises more fireworks, particularly in the Big Ten. The conference's marquee matchup takes place in Los Angeles, where Ohio State visits USC. The Buckeyes will be breaking in a new starting quarterback, with either true freshman Luke Fahey or sophomore Tavien St. Clair expected to take the reins. All eyes will be on head coach Ryan Day as he makes that crucial decision in a hostile environment. Meanwhile, USC coach Lincoln Riley is still searching for a signature win, and this game could be his best opportunity yet.
In another key matchup, Wisconsin hits the road to face Iowa after knocking off USC last weekend. The Badgers may have caught a break, as Iowa will be without star running back Kamari Moulton, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Moulton was the Big Ten's second-leading rusher, trailing only Rutgers' Antwan Raymond. His absence is a significant blow for the Hawkeyes, who rely heavily on their defense. Last week, Iowa dropped a defensive struggle to Minnesota, 13-10. The offense has been inconsistent, and losing Moulton only compounds those issues. Wisconsin's offense hasn't been much better, with quarterback Colton Joseph throwing for just 66 and 58 yards in the past two games. This could be Joseph's toughest test yet, as winning at Kinnick Stadium is never easy.
Key Analysis
The Ohio State-USC game feels like a make-or-break moment for both programs. The Buckeyes already have one loss and will be without star quarterback Julian Sayin, forcing them to rely on an untested signal-caller. The Trojans, on the other hand, are coming off a disappointing 24-7 loss to Wisconsin and face a daunting schedule to close the season. A win over Ohio State would be a major statement for Riley. USC holds the advantage at quarterback with Jayden Maiava, but he has thrown at least one interception in each of the team's biggest games this season. He must protect the ball against a stout Ohio State defense. The Buckeyes' uncertainty at quarterback is concerning, and the Trojans are poised to bounce back.
Predicted scores for the rest of the Big Ten slate: Iowa 17, Wisconsin 13; USC 27, Ohio State 20; Illinois 27, Maryland 24; Michigan 24, Rutgers 3; Indiana 27, Minnesota 10; Northwestern 31, Oregon 17; UCLA 38, Nevada 10; Penn State 27, Purdue 24; Nebraska 31, Washington 27.
Originally reported by yahoo.