Former Ohio State teammates clash over Buckeyes vs USC football game

Former Ohio State and USC defensive back Bryson Shaw argued with former teammate Steele Chambers on multiple platforms that the Trojans will beat the Buckeyesin 2026.

“I guarantee you they beat Ohio State Oct. 31st at home btw,” Shaw wrote in an X post, replying to Chambers’ prediction that the Trojans will go 8-4 this season.

In his post, Shaw also referenced the Trojans’ defensive line.

“Crawford, Jide, Lucas, shelby and so on will have a field day with that front. You probably don’t even know who they are because you guys live in a bubble, I would research them,” Shaw said.

I guarantee you they beat Ohio state October 31st at home btw. Crawford, Jide, Lucas, shelby and so on will have a field day with that front. You probably don’t even know who they are because you guys live in a bubble, I would research them. #fighton#usctrojanshttps://t.co/2e38Y8GWv1

— Bryson Shaw (@bshaw272727) February 3, 2026

“And that ‘bubble’ is called success. give me a holler when y’all find it,” Chambers wrote back.

The two former Buckeyes teammates also debated the two programs’ prowess on “The Shaw and Steele Show” with Shaw arguing that there’s “no reason” why recruits should pick Ohio State over USC.

“It’s pretty much better in every single department, in this day and age,” Shaw said on the podcast. “The facilities are better. The school is better. The money is better.”

Chambers countered that Ohio State’s athletics were the second-most valuable in the country. In December 2025, CNBC reported that Ohio State ranks second in college athletics valuations in 2025 at $1.35 billion. USC was No. 8 with a $1.1 billion valuation.

“The only thing that Ohio State’s got is coach Mick Mariotti and that strength staff,” Shaw said.

Shaw committed to Ohio State in 2019 and played in three games over his first two seasons. After starting at safety in 2021, he transferred to USC and was a starter there for three seasons.

Chambers also played his first year at Ohio State in 2019. After seeing time as a running back in his first two seasons, Chambers switched to linebacker in 2021 and started for three seasons on the Buckeyes’ defense.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Former Ohio State teammates debate Buckeyes vs USC football, recruiting