Wisconsin vs USC Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines
By Pete Fiutak,
23 days ago
Which team can get it back faster?
Actually, it’s more like whether or not it can all get going for Wisconsin.
Bad in wins over Western Michigan and South Dakota, and not close to ready for the big-time against Alabama, it hasn’t been a pretty start for the Badgers.
USC got rumbled over by Michigan in a 27-24 thriller for a loss. That’s not the end of the world - the schedule isn’t all that bad - but the team needs a great game before going on the road to deal with Minnesota before dealing with Penn State.
USC is 6-1 all-time in the series, with the last game a wild 23-21 Badger win in the 2015 Holiday Bowl. That was the only meeting since 1966.
Sep 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans running back Quinten Joyner (0) celebrates with offensive lineman Mason Murphy (76) after scoring a touchdown against the Utah State Aggies during the third quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Seriously, Wisconsin, you do still know how to bash away with the ground game, right?
The Badger rushing attack has been okay. It was functional at times against Western Michigan and South Dakota, and running 41 times against Alabama is actually sort of impressive, but the place that became known for dominant offensive lines and grinding ground attacks hasn’t been able to impose its will.
For all of the positives with the new and improved USC defense, the run defense is still just a big bag of okay.
LSU was able to run well until it stopped handing the ball off, Utah State got down and started throwing, and then Michigan ran 46 times for 290 yards and three scores.
Drip, drip, drip, drip … flood. Michigan kept running, and running, and eventually it all worked. It’s not that Wisconsin isn’t running - over 40 carries in each of the three games - but it has to be better at it.
That might work this week. However …
Why USC Will Win
There’s just no there, there with these Badgers.
The passing game doesn’t work - and now Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke is out with a torn ACL - and the aforementioned running game isn’t anything to worry about.
Wisconsin tries to dink and dunk, and nothing happens.
USC doesn’t have to do anything crazy here. Stick with what works - great field position, third down stops, giving Miller Moss time to work …
He didn’t really have that against Michigan, but he still threw three touchdown passes and pitched for 283 yards. Wisconsin will get to him a bit, but he’ll be sharper this week.
Wisconsin vs USC: Who Will Win
It’ll be another fun Big Ten moment when the Badgers go into Los Angeles - the crowd mix will be fascinating - but the Trojans will own this stadium and the game midway through the second quarter.
Wisconsin will come up with good drives in the first two efforts, and then USC will take over from there. The Trojans will bounce back quickly.
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