No. 11 USC and No. 18 Michigan will meet in a regular-season recreation for the primary time since 1958 because the Wolverines play host to the Trojans of their first-ever conflict as Massive Ten foes. Eight of their 10 earlier matchups have come within the Rose Bowl, making this solely the second time USC has performed inside Michigan Stadium
The pair of school soccer giants enter the showdown driving vastly completely different vibes after each confronted important early-season challenges. USC handed its Week 1 check towards LSU, profitable 27-20 whereas demonstrating much-needed defensive enchancment. Michigan flunked its first large problem with a weak offensive displaying in a 31-12 Week 2 house loss to Texas.
First-year Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore is popping to junior quarterback Alex Orji searching for a spark this week. However Orji could have his fingers full towards the Trojans, who’re coming off a bye after mitigating LSU’s run recreation after which shutting out Utah State in Week 2. The Texas debacle additionally left the Wolverines’ protection with one thing to show as Trojans quarterback Miller Moss makes his first profession street begin.
As these two historic powers put together to tangle on CBS contained in the Massive Home, listed below are some extra storylines to watch.
Learn how to watch Michigan vs. USC reside
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Michigan Stadium — Ann Arbor, Michigan
TV: CBS | Reside stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports activities App (Free)
Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (Strive It Free)
Michigan vs. USC: Must know
Orji is QB1: Orji has tried simply seven profession passes in three seasons at Michigan. Now he’ll be thrust into the beginning function for a marquee matchup after taking part in sparingly within the season’s first three weeks. With the motionless Davis Warren unable to spark the Wolverines’ passing recreation, it will likely be on Orji to deliver some life to Michigan’s offense. Orji’s operating capability is his calling card, however he’ll have to point out some stage of competency within the passing recreation as a way to maintain USC from loading up the field to remove Michigan’s dashing assault. Moore stated this week that Orji’s accuracy “has improved tremendously.” However that should translate to the massive stage if Michigan goes to have an opportunity.
Revitalized below Lynn: USC ranked No. 116 nationally in whole protection final season because the Trojans struggled to an 8-5 document after beginning the 12 months No. 6 within the preseason AP ballot. Riley fired coordinator Alex Grinch after 5 seasons collectively between Oklahoma and USC and landed D’Anton Lynn, who shined as UCLA’s defensive coordinator in 2023. The early returns are encouraging, however Michigan will pose a brand new problem. Whereas the Trojans shut down LSU’s dashing assault, the Tigers have confirmed to be listless on the bottom. Michigan is constructed to run the soccer, which is able to check USC’s physicality. With the duo of Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards at operating again, mixed with Orji’s mobility, it is no secret that Michigan will search to pound the rock.
Fruits of realignment: Convention realignment has altered the inspiration of school soccer by consolidating the game’s strongest manufacturers into 4 conferences, with a heavy focus of them now residing the Massive Ten and SEC. Among the many downsides of realignment are the abandonment of geographical congruency and the disruption of conventional rivalries. The upshot is extra blockbuster common season video games like this. Later this season, we’ll additionally get the sixth-ever assembly between USC and Nebraska and the sixth-ever assembly between Oregon and Michigan.
Michigan vs. USC prediction, picks
Michigan is popping to cell junior Alex Orji at quarterback in hopes of sparking its offense after after a worrisome begin. However it’s clear the Michigan employees does not belief Orji to throw the soccer, which suggests the Wolverines will nonetheless be one-dimensional. The Trojans seem much more competent defensively below first-year coordinator D’Anton Lynn and will have the luxurious of loading up towards the run. USC additionally has sufficient offensive firepower to use the gentle spots in a Michigan protection that is not as dominant as its 2023 counterpart. Decide: USC -6
Which school soccer picks are you able to make with confidence in Week 4? Go to SportsLine to see which groups will win and canopy the unfold — all from a confirmed laptop mannequin that has returned properly over $2,000 in revenue since its inception — and discover out.
