No. 16 USC (6-1, 3-1) at Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1)
When: 4:30 p.m. PT Saturday
Where: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
TV/Radio: NBC (Ch. 4)/710 AM
Line: USC by 3
NOTABLE INJURIES
USC: OUT: WR Terrell Anderson (undisclosed), WR Corey Simms (knee), S Kendarius Reddick (undisclosed), LB Taylor “Taybo” Johnson (undisclosed), LB Roman Marchetti (undisclosed), OL Kilian O’Connor (knee); QUESTIONABLE: TE Mark Bowman (undisclosed), WR Luc Weaver (undisclosed), DT Jide Abasiri (lower body); PROBABLE: DT Jahkeem Stewart (foot), LB Jadyn Walker (undisclosed).
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Wisconsin: OUT: CB Cai Bates (knee); QUESTIONABLE: CB Javan Robinson (undisclosed), WR Malachi Coleman (undisclosed), RB Nate Palmer (undisclosed); PROBABLE: RB Darrion Dupree (lower body), OL Austin Kawecki (hand)
What’s at stake? USC is one of eight Big Ten teams with only one conference loss – a stat that the Trojans will look to preserve for when the first College Football Playoff rankings of the year are released Nov. 3. A win against Wisconsin could give USC some wiggle room with tough opponents like No. 3 Ohio State, No. 6 Indiana and No. 9 UCLA still remaining on the slate. If USC loses this game, its chances of making the CFP will plummet.
Who’s better? USC’s efficiency on offense should give it a considerable advantage, and the bye week should have the Trojans rested and revitalized. But Wisconsin has a few intangibles in its favor. They’re a hard-nosed, traditional Big Ten team with a home stadium that can be overwhelming. USC has been preparing for that all week by blaring House of Pain’s “Jump Around” through the practice facility and meeting rooms.
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Matchup to watch: Badgers quarterback Colton Joseph vs. USC’s run defense. Joseph isn’t overly efficient with his arm and is completing 54.7% of his passes, so he makes up for lost opportunities with his legs to the tune of 55.5 rushing yards per game. The Trojans’ defense has already faced mobile quarterbacks this season, but keep in mind that this is also a defense that can start slow and is stronger in the second half.
USC wins if: The offensive line will need to keep a high standard of protection, regardless of who is in the game. The trenches have shuffled around slightly and have still kept quarterback Jayden Maiava clean, allowing roughly one sack per game. The Trojans have to give Maiava enough time to make smart decisions against a defense that limits opponents to 171.2 passing yards a game.
Prediction: USC 27, Wisconsin 17. The Trojans come in with energy off the bye week and the upcoming matchup against Ohio State becomes even more exciting.
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