No. 11 USC and No. 18 Michigan are squaring off in the regular season for the first time since 1958 as the Wolverines host the Trojans in their first-ever clash as Big Ten foes. Eight of their 10 previous matchups have come in the Rose Bowl, making this only the second time USC has played inside Michigan Stadium
The pair of college football giants enter the showdown riding vastly different vibes after both faced significant early-season challenges. USC passed its Week 1 test against LSU, winning 27-20 while demonstrating much-needed defensive improvement. Michigan flunked its first big challenge with a weak offensive showing in a 31-12 Week 2 home loss to Texas.
First-year Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore is turning to junior quarterback Alex Orji in search of a spark this week. But Orji will have his hands full against the Trojans, who are coming off a bye after mitigating LSU’s run game and then shutting out Utah State in Week 2. The Texas debacle also left the Wolverines’ defense with something to prove as Trojans quarterback Miller Moss makes his first career road start.
As these two historical powers prepare to tangle on CBS inside the Big House, here are some more storylines to monitor.
Michigan vs. USC: Need to know
Orji is QB1: Orji has attempted just seven career passes in three seasons at Michigan. Now he’ll be thrust into the starting role for a marquee matchup after playing sparingly in the season’s first three weeks. With the immobile Davis Warren unable to spark the Wolverines’ passing game, it will be on Orji to bring some life to Michigan’s offense. Orji’s running ability is his calling card, but he’ll have to show some level of competency in the passing game in order to keep USC from loading up the box to take away Michigan’s rushing attack. Moore said this week that Orji’s accuracy “has improved tremendously.” But that must translate to the big stage if Michigan is going to have a chance.
Revitalized under Lynn: USC ranked No. 116 nationally in total defense last season as the Trojans struggled to an 8-5 record after starting the year No. 6 in the preseason AP poll. Riley fired coordinator Alex Grinch after five seasons together between Oklahoma and USC and landed D’Anton Lynn, who shined as UCLA’s defensive coordinator in 2023. The early returns are encouraging, but Michigan will pose a new challenge. While the Trojans shut down LSU’s rushing attack, the Tigers have proven to be listless on the ground. Michigan is built to run the football, which will test USC’s physicality. With the duo of Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards at running back, combined with Orji’s mobility, it’s no secret that Michigan will seek to pound the rock.
Fruits of realignment: Conference realignment has altered the foundation of college football by consolidating the sport’s most powerful brands into four conferences, with a heavy concentration of them now residing the Big Ten and SEC. Among the downsides of realignment are the abandonment of geographical congruency and the disruption of traditional rivalries. The upshot is more blockbuster regular season games like this. Later this season, we’ll also get the sixth-ever meeting between USC and Nebraska and the sixth-ever meeting between Oregon and Michigan.
How to watch Michigan vs. USC live
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Michigan Stadium — Ann Arbor, Michigan
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (Try It Free)
Michigan vs. USC prediction, picks
Michigan is turning to mobile junior Alex Orji at quarterback in hopes of sparking its offense after after a worrisome start. But it’s clear the Michigan staff doesn’t trust Orji to throw the football, which means the Wolverines will still be one-dimensional. The Trojans appear far more competent defensively under first-year coordinator D’Anton Lynn and should have the luxury of loading up against the run. USC also has enough offensive firepower to exploit the soft spots in a Michigan defense that isn’t as dominant as its 2023 counterpart. Pick: USC -6
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