No. 15 Michigan will journey to the West Coast on Saturday for a key Huge Ten showdown in opposition to USC. It will mark the second consecutive season these two groups have met in convention play, and it will likely be a rematch of an exciting 27-24 win by the Wolverines over the Trojans final 12 months.
The Wolverines are coming off a 24-10 win over Wisconsin final weekend to enhance to 4-1. Michigan began sluggish and allowed the Badgers to leap out to a 7-0 lead after their opening drive, however pulled away within the second half behind one other massive recreation from working again Justice Haynes. Michigan’s lone loss got here in opposition to Oklahoma final month on the highway.
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USC is within the midst of a vital stretch that can resolve its School Soccer Playoff hopes. The Trojans are coming off their first loss — a 34-32 setback on the highway in opposition to Illinois — and have been idle final week. After this recreation in opposition to the Wolverines, the Trojans have a date with No. 16 Notre Dame on the highway and one other recreation away from Southern California in opposition to Nebraska on Nov. 1.
Michigan vs. USC: Must know
Haynes is off to a historic begin at his new faculty: The previous Alabama working again has elevated Michigan’s run recreation into one of many top-ranked models within the nation. Haynes has rushed for over 100 yards in every of his first 5 video games, becoming a member of Denard Robinson as the one Michigan gamers since 2010 to perform the feat. After splitting the carries throughout his final two seasons at Alabama and speeding for 616 yards whole, Haynes racked up 654 speeding yards and eight touchdowns in the course of the first 5 video games of 2025.
USC’s receivers would be the distinction: USC star huge receiver Makai Lemon is coming off a breakout efficiency in opposition to Illinois. He caught 11 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns. The week earlier than in opposition to Michigan State, he completed with eight receptions for 127 yards and a landing. Whereas Lemon has far and away been USC’s finest receiver this season, Ja’Kobi Lane has additionally proven he is able to an expanded function any given Saturday. He has 13 catches for 278 yards and a landing to date. The important thing to victory for USC will probably be getting Lemon and Lane concerned early and infrequently.
This recreation is a resume builder for USC and Michigan: With each groups sitting at 4-1 heading into this recreation, the winner can have an inside observe to make a powerful push towards a CFP berth. The Trojans have three ranked opponents remaining on the schedule (Michigan, Notre Dame and USC), whereas the Wolverines have only one (Ohio State). A win by USC probably vaults Lincoln Riley’s squad again into the AP Prime 25 ballot, whereas a loss will make it an uphill climb to get into the CFP. As for Michigan, this may be an enormous win after a setback final month in opposition to Oklahoma on the highway.
The place to observe Michigan vs. USC dwell
Date: Saturday, Oct. 11 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum — Los Angeles, California
TV: NBC | Stream: Fubo (Attempt at no cost)
Michigan vs. USC prediction, picks
This recreation is a toss-up. I actually like what Michigan has achieved with its working recreation and Bryce Underwood is without doubt one of the finest younger quarterbacks in school soccer. USC has among the best huge receiver duos within the sport, and which will finally make the distinction on this one. This can be a pivotal second for Riley’s tenure at USC as a result of final 12 months, in opposition to Michigan, his group fell quick. A win over the Wolverines would change the narrative and could be one in all his most spectacular wins since leaving Oklahoma. This recreation will come right down to the wire, however USC will stroll away with an enormous win. Decide: USC -2.5
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