Prediction, Game Preview, and Odds for USC vs. Michigan

It is a huge first game for both teams in the Big Ten.

USC, welcome to your new home.

This is the 11th time that these two great powerhouses have met.

The last one was the Rose Bowl in 2006, which the Trojans won 32–18. This is the first one during the regular season since Michigan beat Penn State 20–19 to start the 1958 season.

Since they lost to Texas a few weeks ago, Michigan really needs this to get their chance to defend their College Football Playoff national title.

If they lose this, it will be very hard to run the table, which is something the team might need to do.

After beating LSU and Utah State by huge margins, USC is on a high. Now the fun starts.

Next week, Wisconsin comes to LA, then USC goes to Minnesota, and finally Penn State comes to the coast. The rest of the way, USC does not have back-to-back home games.

USC vs Michigan Preview

USC vs Michigan How to Watch
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET
Venue: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
How to Watch: BTN ESPN
Michigan (2-1), USC (2-0)

Why USC Will Win

The attack for Michigan is not working.

USC’s defense has been great in the first two games, but it has had two weeks off to rest. Michigan’s attack is also struggling.

The Wolverines’ passing game is not very reliable, and their ground attack, which ran for over 300 yards against Arkansas State, had trouble getting the ball in the basket. Even though the attack was able to grind, they only scored 28 points.

Michigan’s trouble on third downs is the strangest problem. It worked okay against Fresno State but awful against Texas. Arkansas State was able to keep going by making seven of twelve chances.

USC QB Miller Moss has been good when things get tough. He is not making mistakes, the team is not getting flagged, and the chains should keep going. That being said…

Why Michigan Will Win

All right, Alex Orji. Are you ready?

All of those running yards did not lead to points for a reason. It has something to do with the three catches.

Going into the season, he was expected to be the new starting quarterback, but he does not always throw the ball very well.

It is not all bad that Davis Warren was. So far, he is completed 67% of his throws, but there is nothing down the field, and six interceptions are way too many.

The ground game should keep going strong. At times, LSU was able to beat USC hard, and Michigan will take the heat off of Orji right away by being rough.

Not like Warren, Orji can run away and be dangerous. The big mistakes should not happen too often against a USC team that has only given up two points so far. Most of the time, USC will not be able to run the ball very much. So…

USC vs Michigan: Who Will Win

Can Michigan put any kind of pressure on Moss?

The Wolverines’ defense is not very good on third downs, in part because they can not find a pass rush. This is one of the strangest things about them so far.

The offensive plays down the field will be the bigger problem. A few will happen here and there, but not enough to make up for the two mistakes by Orji.

Michigan will start to look like a team again at some point, but not this week against the rested Trojans.