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The No. 19 USC Trojans are enjoying a bye in Week 7, one of the few ranked teams not in action. This break allows head coach Lincoln Riley and his squad to recover and strategize for the rest of the campaign. Meanwhile, USC supporters will have the chance to watch other college football games on Saturday, with several featuring upcoming Trojan opponents.
Which four games should Trojans fans keep an eye on during this week's slate?
Ohio State vs. Indiana
The clash between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 5 Indiana not only pits the highest-ranked teams against each other in Week 7 but also showcases the best remaining opponents on USC's schedule. The Trojans will welcome Ohio State on October 31 and then hit the road to face Indiana on November 14. Securing an upset against either the Buckeyes or the Hoosiers would significantly enhance USC's College Football Playoff credentials, making this game particularly informative for fans.
Indiana has had narrow escapes against Northwestern and Nebraska this season, while Ohio State has appeared dominant, even in their lone loss to Texas in Week 2. Could one of these teams look more vulnerable after their showdown?
Wisconsin vs. UCLA
Like the Ohio State-Indiana matchup, Wisconsin vs. No. 12 UCLA features two future USC opponents. The Wisconsin game could be a trap for the Trojans if they overlook the Badgers while looking ahead to Ohio State, so assessing Wisconsin's strengths will be crucial for USC coming out of the bye. On the other side, UCLA lost starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava to a season-ending injury in their upset win over Oregon. How the Bruins perform without Iamaleava remains uncertain, but Trojans fans can glean valuable insights when UCLA takes on Wisconsin on Saturday.
Notre Dame vs. BYU
When USC and No. 2 Notre Dame couldn't agree to continue their storied rivalry, the Fighting Irish filled the gap with No. 8 BYU. Saturday marks the first game of a home-and-home series between BYU and Notre Dame, with the Cougars set to visit South Bend in 2027. Both teams are undefeated and ranked in the top 10, helping to compensate for the excitement lost when the rivalry with USC was paused. Can BYU make USC fans proud by upsetting Notre Dame?
Oregon vs. Nebraska
Lastly, USC fans might find some satisfaction in watching Oregon vs. Nebraska, especially if the Ducks continue to struggle after their loss to UCLA. However, Oregon is currently the only loss on USC's schedule. Therefore, having the Ducks succeed and re-enter the AP Top 25 Poll would actually benefit the Trojans, providing them with a more 'quality loss.' While rooting for Oregon coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks may be tough, USC fans could find themselves in a win-win situation. If the Ducks beat Nebraska, USC's resume gets a slight boost. Conversely, Trojans fans likely wouldn't mind seeing their West Coast rival fall to the Cornhuskers.