The USC Trojans make their highly anticipated Big Ten debut this Saturday, facing the Michigan Wolverines on the road. Here’s our preview, which includes a prediction, using the best college football odds from the top sportsbooks.
NCAAF Pick: USC -5.5 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
USC vs. Michigan
Saturday, September 21, 2024 – 03:30 PM ET at Michigan Stadium
USC’s Dominance Continues
USC put on a commanding performance against Utah State, cruising to a 48-0 victory. Running back Quinten Joyner led the ground attack with 84 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense pitched their first shutout since 2011. The Trojans controlled the game from start to finish, building on their season-opening 27-20 win over LSU by unveiling a vastly improved defensive unit.
Quarterback Miller Moss, making his first home start, passed for 229 yards and a touchdown before being rested in the third quarter. Under new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, USC’s defense has shown remarkable improvement, holding LSU to just 20 points in Week 1 and limiting Utah State to 190 total yards, most of which came during a final drive against the backups. The Trojans also forced a missed 52-yard field goal with just over a minute remaining, preserving the shutout.
While the team was sharp overall, a few short-yardage miscues and a fumble by Lake McRee deep in Utah State territory were among the few blemishes in an otherwise dominant showing.
Michigan’s Quarterback Woes
Michigan earned a 28-18 victory over Arkansas State to improve to 2-1, but their quarterback situation remains a significant concern. Davis Warren struggled yet again, tossing three interceptions, bringing his season total to six. Despite accumulating a season-high 435 total yards of offense, Warren’s decision-making continued to be an issue, with two of his interceptions coming from ill-advised throws under pressure.
Although Michigan’s defense performed well, particularly when forced into difficult situations by turnovers, the Wolverines cannot afford more mistakes under center, especially with tougher competition ahead.
Backup Alex Orji briefly replaced Warren in the fourth quarter and showed some promise, but it’s unclear if he is a long-term solution. Veteran Jack Tuttle, currently sidelined with an elbow injury, did not warm up before the game. Should Tuttle return, he could provide some much-needed stability for Michigan’s offense, which has struggled to find consistency this season.
NCAAF Pick
USC’s September 21 showdown with Michigan was once seen as a potential trap game, but the outlook has changed. Michigan’s struggles at quarterback have made the matchup a must-win for the Trojans, especially with their Big Ten title aspirations on the line. The Wolverines haven’t shown enough to suggest they can stop a surging USC squad. Expect the Trojans to win and cover the spread.
NCAAF Pick: USC -5.5 (-110) at Bet365
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