Michigan vs. USC Prediction: Opening Odds & Early Picks for College Football Week 7
In a cross-country Big Ten game on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC), my Michigan vs. USC prediction and college football picks look at the early odds in a matchup that should come down to QB play.
The Trojans are a 2.5-point betting favorite at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and with Jayden Maiava and Makai Lemon leading Lincoln Riley's offense, our college football prediction for Week 7 expects USC to show up in a big way at home.
🏈 Early Michigan vs. USC prediction & best bet
Stay ahead with the rest of our early college football predictions for Week 7.
🗡️ USC -2.5 (-104) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
These two teams should provide a fun matchup, with both ranking in the top 15 overall in SP+, but featuring two very different styles. Michigan ranks No. 7 in SP+ on offense, but just No. 32 on defense, while USC has the No. 1 offense, carrying the No. 49 defense. So I'm expecting this to come down to which QB can do more in what could be a shootout on Saturday night in L.A.
With Wolverines true freshman QB Bryce Underwood having to make his first cross-country Big Ten trip and Michigan lacking a consistent passing attack (No. 51 in EPA per pass), USC defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn should be able to have his defense lock in on slowing Justice Haynes. Meanwhile, Maiava and his plethora of weapons are capable of hunting the Wolverines.
The Trojans rank No. 1 in EPA per pass and No. 8 in EPA per rush on offense (Michigan is just No. 54 in EPA per pass on defense), with too much talent to be slowed down. Maiava ranks No. 1 in the country in QBR (93.5), Lemon is No. 3 in yards per route run (4.5), and running back Waymond Jordan is No. 3 in rushing yards after contact (421).
USC is 2-1 ATS at home this season, and if the Trojans can cover again, a $10 bet at FanDuel pays a $9.62 profit.
📺️ How to watch Michigan vs. USC
When: Saturday, Oct. 11 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles)
TV: NBC
📊 Michigan vs. USC odds: Week 7
Latest college football odds updated live in real time.
📈 Michigan vs. USC opening odds
- Moneyline: Michigan +118 | USC -140
- Spread: Michigan +2.5 (-110) | USC -2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 55 (-110) | Under 55 (-110)
💡 Michigan vs. USC odds analysis
USC opened as a 2.5-point betting favorite at our best college football betting sites, and the line hasn't budged yet. However, with 71% of bettors taking the Trojans to cover at home, I expect this line to move. USC could be as big as a 4.5-point favorite by Saturday night, so bet Riley's team now if you're planning to back it. The game total has already seen plenty of movement, jumping from 55 to 57.5, with 71% of bettors on the Over.
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