USC vs Michigan Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

It’s a whale of a Big Ten opener for both teams.

Welcome to the new digs, USC.

This is just the 11th meeting between these two historic powerhouses.

The last one was the 2006 Rose Bowl - a 32-18 Trojan win - and it’s the first one in the regular season since a 20-19 Michigan victory to open the 1958 campaign.

With a loss to Texas a few weeks ago, Michigan desperately needs this to get the dream of defending its College Football Playoff national title back.

Lose this, and it’ll be next to impossible to run the table - which might be what the team would need to do.

USC is flying high after the win over LSU and blowout over Utah State, and now the fun begins.

Wisconsin comes to LA next week, there’s a trip to Minnesota to follow, and then Penn State comes out to the coast - USC doesn’t get two home games in a row the rest of the way.

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)
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- Heisman Trophy Race

Why USC Will Win

Michigan’s offense isn’t working.

Not only is Michigan’s offense sputtering, but USC’s defense has been terrific over the first two games, and now it had two weeks off to rest up.

The Wolverines don’t have a consistent passing game, and the ground attack that ran for over 300 yards against Arkansas State had a hard time putting the biscuit in the basket - they only scored 28 against the Red Wolves even though the attack was able to grind.

The most bizarre problem is Michigan’s struggles on third downs. It was okay against Fresno State, lousy against Texas, and Arkansas State was able to do enough to keep moving converting seven of 12 chances.

USC QB Miller Moss has been strong under pressure, he isn’t making mistakes, the team isn’t getting hit with penalties, and the chains should keep moving. So ...

Why Michigan Will Win

Okay, Alex Orji. You ready?

There’s a reason why all those rushing yards didn’t turn into points. The three interceptions and something to do with it.

He was supposed to be the new starting quarterback coming into the season, but his passing consistency leaves a little something to be desired.

Davis Warren wasn’t totally awful. He hit 67% of his throws so far, but there’s nothing down the field and the six picks were way too many.

The ground game should continue to work. LSU was able to pound away on USC for stretches, and Michigan will take the pressure off Orji from the start by getting physical.

And unlike Warren, Orji can take off and be dangerous. Against a USC defense with only two takeaways so far, the big mistakes should be a bit limited. USC won’t be able to run much - at least not enough to be consistent. So …

USC vs Michigan: Who Will Win

Can Michigan generate any pressure on Moss?

It’s been one of the strangest things about the Wolverines so far - they’re not very good defensively on third downs, partly because they can’t find a pass rush.

The bigger problem will be the downfield plays from the offense. There will be a few here and there, but not enough of them to overcome the two Orji turnovers.

At some point Michigan will start to look the part again, but it won’t be this week against the rested Trojans.

USC vs Michigan Prediction, Betting Lines

USC 26, Michigan 20
Line: USC -5.5, o/u: 46.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
USC vs Michigan Must See Rating: 5