No. 11 USC and No. 18 Michigan are set to face off in a regular-season game for the first time in 65 years, meeting as Big Ten rivals in Michigan Stadium. This matchup is noteworthy as it marks only the second occasion that USC has played in Michigan Stadium, with most of their past encounters taking place in the Rose Bowl.
Both teams enter this game with contrasting feelings following their early-season performances. USC emerged victorious against LSU in their season opener, winning 27-20 while showing improvements on defense. On the other hand, Michigan struggled in its second week, suffering a 31-12 loss at home to Texas, which raised concerns about their offense.
Michigan’s first-year head coach Sherrone Moore is turning to junior quarterback Alex Orji in an effort to revive the team’s offense. Orji, who has previously thrown only seven passes in his college career, now faces a significant challenge against a USC team coming off a bye week. The Trojans have demonstrated strong run defense, particularly in recent games, which puts added pressure on Orji to perform well against them.
As the two storied programs prepare to clash, there are several key storylines to follow:
How to watch Michigan vs. USC live:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Michigan Stadium – Ann Arbor, Michigan
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Streaming available on Paramount+ with Showtime (Free Trial Available)
Key insights:
Orji’s debut as starter: With limited experience, Orji steps into the starting role aiming to rejuvenate Michigan’s offense after a poor showing against Texas. His mobility could be crucial, but he must also exhibit enough passing proficiency to prevent USC from focusing solely on the run.
USC’s defensive transformation: After ranking poorly in total defense last season, USC revamped its coaching staff, bringing in D’Anton Lynn as defensive coordinator. Early indications show promise, but Michigan’s strong running game will test the Trojans’ physicality and resolve.
Impact of conference realignment: The ongoing reshaping of college football conferences has led to thrilling matchups like this one, blending historic rivalries with fresh challenges. Other notable upcoming encounters include USC versus Nebraska and Oregon facing Michigan.
Prediction and outlook: Michigan’s reliance on the mobile Orji may prove insufficient to overcome USC’s enhanced defensive capabilities under Lynn. With the Trojans likely able to exploit weaknesses in Michigan’s defense, the prediction favors USC to win by at least six points.