In 2024 and 2025, the Oregon Ducks did well in the Big Ten, but none of the other West Coast schools met expectations. USC, Washington and UCLA all struggled. This year, Washington is still down, but USC, Oregon, and especially UCLA are in the hunt for the College Football Playoff in mid-November.
College football writer and analyst Dan Wetzel pointed out that after November 7’s games, the USC-UCLA-Oregon trio is 22-5 overall, 14-4 in Big Ten games. Meanwhile, the Ohio State-Michigan-Penn State trio is a combined 16-11 overall, 8-10 in Big Ten competition.
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The widely-accepted view – not unanimous, but noticeably prevalent – among college football pundits was that the long-distance travel from the Pacific time zone to the Central and Eastern time zones would handicap the West Coast schools in the Big Ten. The view contained a certain amount of logic, and to be perfectly fair, USC has struggled a lot under Lincoln Riley when playing Big Ten road games in the Central and Eastern time zones. However, UCLA and Bob Chesney are unbeaten this year. Oregon just went to Columbus and thrashed Ohio State. The idea that the deck would regularly be stacked against the West Coast Big Ten schools didn’t account for the possibility that the Midwestern and Eastern Big Ten schools could fall on hard times, primarily due to bad coaching.
Ohio State is a mess under Ryan Day. Michigan is a disaster under Kyle Whittingham. Penn State is struggling under Matt Campbell.
What commentators thought was a travel and logistics problem is really just a coaching issue. If the West Coast Big Ten schools are better coached than the Midwestern Big Ten schools, the travel and logistics are secondary.
Now let’s see if Lincoln Riley can outcoach Curt Cignetti in Bloomington, Indiana, this Saturday.
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Oct 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Helmets at the line of scrimmage as Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Gabe Vansickle (58) snaps the ball against the Southern California Trojans in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Oct 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Helmets at the line of scrimmage as Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Gabe Vansickle (58) snaps the ball against the Southern California Trojans in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Oct 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day reacts during the NCAA football game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) passes during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Oct 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Luke Fahey (13) moves out to pass against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Oct 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (8) carries the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
USC Trojans tight end Mark Bowman (19) leaps over Ohio State Buckeyes safety Jaylen McClain (8) during the NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026. Ohio State lost 30-18.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Oct 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive tackle Alex Vansumeren (91) celebrates after sacking Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Luke Fahey (13) in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
The torch is lit after the third quarter during the NCAA football game between Ohio State Buckeyes and USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026. Ohio State lost 30-18.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
USC Trojans fans celebrate during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026. Ohio State lost 30-18.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork yells at USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley following the NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026. Ohio State lost 30-18.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
USC Trojans offensive lineman Elijah Vaikona (79) leaves as fans storms the field the following the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026. Ohio State lost 30-18.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from USC’s 30-18 upset of Ohio State
Oct 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans fans storm the field after the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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