No. 13 USC welcomes Wisconsin to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a showdown Saturday in the Big Ten on CBS. This weekend’s contest will mark the eighth all-time meeting between the new conference foes and the first since the 2015 Holiday Bowl, which was won 23-21 by the Badgers, snapping USC’s six-game winning streak in the series.
Both teams enter this game coming off losses to traditional heavyweights. The Trojans fell 27-24 to Michigan last weekend at the Big House in the program’s first ever Big Ten conference game, while the Badgers iaretrying to shake off a blowout 42-10 loss to Alabama on Sept. 14.
Wisconsin starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke will miss the remainder of the 2024 campaign after sustaining an ACL tear in his right knee during the loss to the Crimson Tide. The former Miami signal caller will be replaced by Braedyn Locke, who served as the high school quarterback of former Ohio State star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Locke threw a touchdown pass in relief for Van Dyke last week, but completed only 50% of his passes for 125 yards.
Here are the top storylines to monitor when USC plays its first home game as a member of the Big Ten this weekend.
USC vs. Wisconsin: Need to know
USC’s defense will need to stop the run: USC poached defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn away from crosstown rival UCLA in the offseason. Charged with turning around a pitiful Trojans defense, Lynn’s UCLA group was among the best in the country last season. There have been incremental steps in the right direction on that side of the ball, but the Trojans have still struggled at the point of attack against the run. Michigan racked up 290 yards on the ground, while LSU ran for 113 (4.5 yards per carry) in Week 1. Wisconsin is averaging 172 yards per game, so slowing down the run and forcing an inexperienced quarterback to pass will be the key to victory.
Locke can give Wisconsin a spark: This won’t be the first time Locke steps into the huddle as Wisconsin’s starter. He started three games last fall against Illinois, Ohio State and Indiana in relief of former starter Tanner Mordecai. He wasn’t flashy, but did show some efficiency with five touchdowns and zero interceptions in those starts. A physical, grinding rushing attack as been a staple of Wisconsin’s offense for years. If the Badgers can get that going against a vulnerable opponent, it would take pressure off Locke to be the hero.
Zachariah Branch is USC’s X-Factor: Branch does a little of everything for USC, but his primary role is as a lethal punt and kick returner. Branch had two house calls on special teams last year and is looking for his first big return of 2024. On offense, he came close to his first 100-yard receiving game last weekend (98 yards). Getting him open down the seams and in space could be the spark USC’s offense needs to blow this game open.
How to watch USC vs. Wisconsin live
Date: Saturday, Sept. 28 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum — Los Angeles
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (Try It Free)
USC vs. Wisconsin prediction, picks
Wisconsin is off to a shaky start to the 2024 season, highlighted by two lackluster performances in the first two weeks against Western Michigan and South Dakota. Locke is 1-2 in his career as a starter, and this is a great opportunity for the USC defense to get a bounceback performance after a lackluster showing on that side of the ball against Michigan. Moss has looked like a Heisman dark horse through the first month of the season, and a strong performance would get him right back in the conversation. Pick: USC -15.5
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