Michigan vs USC predictions, pick, odds, spread, where to watch live
No. 15 Michigan will travel to the West Coast on Saturday for a key Big Ten showdown against USC. This will be the second straight season these two teams have met in conference play, and will be an exciting rematch of the Wolverines’ 27-24 win over the Trojans last year.
The Wolverines are coming off a 24-10 win over Wisconsin last weekend to improve to 4-1. Michigan started slow and allowed the Badgers to take a 7-0 lead after their opening drive, but pulled away in the second half behind another big game from running back Justise Haynes. Michigan’s only loss came to Oklahoma last month on the road.
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USC is in the middle of a critical juncture that will decide College football Playoff hopes. The Trojans are coming off their first loss — a 34-32 setback on the road against Illinois — and were lethargic last week. After this game against the Wolverines, the Trojans have a date with No. 16 Notre Dame on the road and another game away at Southern California against Nebraska on Nov. 1.
Michigan vs. USC: Need to know
Hines got off to a historic start at his new school: The former Alabama running back has elevated Michigan’s running game to one of the top-ranked units in the country. Haynes rushed for more than 100 yards in each of his first five games, joining Denard Robinson as the only Michigan players since 2010 to accomplish that feat. After splitting carries during his final two seasons at Alabama and rushing for 616 total yards, Hines has racked up 654 yards and eight touchdowns through the first five games of 2025.
USC receivers will be the teams: USC wide receiver McKay Lemon is coming off a standout performance against Illinois. He caught 11 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns. The previous week against Michigan State, he finished with eight receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown. While Lemon was far from USC’s best receiver this season, Ja’Kobi Lane also showed he’s capable of an expanded role throughout Saturday. He has 13 catches for 278 yards and a touchdown so far. The key to USC’s victory will be to get Lemon and Lane involved early and often.
This game is a resume builder for USC and Michigan: With both teams sitting at 4-1 heading into this matchup, the winner will have an inside track to make a strong push for a CFP berth. The Trojans have three opponents remaining on the schedule (Michigan, Notre Dame and USC), while the Wolverines have just one (Ohio State). A win for USC would likely put Lincoln Riley’s team back in the AP Top 25 poll, while a loss would make it tough to get into the CFP. As for Michigan, this will be a big win after last month’s setback against Oklahoma on the road.
Where to watch the Michigan-USC match live
date: Saturday 11 October | time: 7:30 PM ET
location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – Los Angeles, California
television: nbc | flow: Fubo (Try for free)
Michigan vs. USC prediction, picks
This game is a throwing game. I really like what Michigan has done in the running game and Bryce Underwood is one of the best young quarterbacks in college football. USC has one of the best wide receiver duos in the sport, and that could ultimately make the difference in this sport. This is a pivotal moment during Riley’s tenure at USC because last year, against Michigan, his team fell short. A win over the Wolverines would change the narrative and would be one of his most impressive wins since leaving Oklahoma. This game will come down to the end, but USC will come away with a big win. Pick: USC -2.5
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