The No. 15 Michigan Wolverines head west to take on the USC Trojans in a Big Ten matchup that could weigh heavily on the conference standings, and maybe even CFP rankings.

Michigan comes in with a record of 4-1 after securing three consecutive victories, while USC also stands at 4-1 but has faced limited challenges — and is coming off a bye week after a disappointing loss at Illinois. Let’s explore which team has the edge in our #15 Michigan vs. USC picks below.

#15 Michigan vs. USC Predictions for College Football Week 7, Saturday, 10/11

This game features two prestigious programs eager to demonstrate their worthiness in the Big Ten title race. Michigan’s strength and discipline have seen them through challenging away games, whereas USC’s offense has generated impressive stats — though primarily against weaker opponents.

With the Trojans favored by 2.5 points on their home turf, the key question is whether Michigan’s resilience can hold up once more. Let’s analyze why the Wolverines represent the best value in this Week 7 contest with our official #15 Michigan vs. USC predictions.

 

 

 

#15 Michigan vs. USC Best Bet: Wolverines ML (+112 at Novig)

This line is tight for a reason. On paper, USC appears to be a top-tier offense — ranking second nationally in EPA per play, averaging 48.4 points per game, and excelling both on the ground and in the air.

However, a lot of that dominance was achieved against Missouri State and Georgia Southern, which are not exactly defensive powerhouses. When the Trojans finally faced a respectable opponent, Illinois revealed their vulnerabilities in a 34–32 upset loss, accumulating over 500 yards of offense.

Meanwhile, Michigan has been toughened by competition. The Wolverines have already faced Oklahoma and Nebraska on the road, winning one and remaining competitive in the other. Those experiences are significant. 

They’ve demonstrated their ability to handle adversity in challenging environments, all while maintaining remarkable discipline — with just three turnovers this season and one of the lowest penalty counts in the nation.

Michigan may not be flashy, but they are incredibly efficient. The Wolverines rank in the top 15 nationally for rushing offense, averaging nearly 238 yards per game and 6.5 yards per carry. Justice Haynes has emerged as the centerpiece of a balanced attack that relies on elite offensive line play and physicality at the point of attack.

Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood has managed games effectively — avoiding errors, taking what defenses offer, and making enough plays to keep defenses honest. He doesn’t need to win this game by throwing for 350 yards. He simply needs to execute the game plan, sustain drives, and finish in the red zone.

That’s the strategy for overcoming a USC defense that has shown vulnerabilities against any legitimate opponent — even Michigan State played the Trojans tough. The Trojans rank outside the top 100 in rushing success rate allowed and line yards, indicating that opponents consistently push them off the ball and achieve steady gains. Michigan’s power run game is perfectly designed to exploit that weakness.

Lincoln Riley’s offense consistently grabs attention, but his defenses frequently give it away. The Trojans conceded 34 points to Illinois and 31 to MSU— two teams that don’t pose a significant offensive threat like Michigan does in Haynes. The pass rush appears formidable on paper, yet it vanished in Champaign, recording only one sack and two tackles for loss.

Michigan’s offensive line has been tested in battle and should effectively counter that pressure. If USC fails to reach Underwood, the Wolverines’ offensive flow will control the game. Anticipate lengthy, clock-consuming drives from Michigan, keeping USC’s explosive offense on the sidelines and exhausting the Trojan defense.

If this line were +3 or greater, taking the points would make sense. However, at +2.5, the value shifts to the moneyline. Michigan’s experience in tight contests, combined with their capacity to manage tempo and dominate in the trenches, provides them a genuine opportunity to secure an outright victory.

The Trojans may appear to be the more appealing choice due to their flashy offensive numbers, but the Wolverines have proven to be the more well-rounded football team over the past six weeks. We’ll bet on the Wolverines to win outright in our #15 Michigan vs. USC predictions.

 

 

 

How To Watch #15 Michigan vs. USC College Football Week 7

  • Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – Los Angeles, CA
  • TV: NBC

#15 Michigan vs. USC Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

In line with our earlier #15 Michigan vs. USC predictions, we are now sharing the latest #15 Michigan vs. USC for the game from Novig:

  • Money Line (ML): Wolverines +112 | Trojans -140
  • Spread: Wolverines +2.5 (-110) | Trojans -2.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 56 (O: -110 | U: -110)

 

 

 

#15 Michigan vs. USC Injury Report & Latest News

Michigan Injury Report

  • H. Hansen (TE) – Probable, Undisclosed
  • M. Ka'apana (RB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • D. Warren (QB) – Questionable, Knee
  • G. El-Hadi (OG) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • B. Norton (OG) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • D. Baxter (DL) – Out, Undisclosed
  • J. Hood (LB) – Out, Undisclosed
  • D. Johnson (RB) – Out, Undisclosed
  • I. Stewart (WR) – Out, Undisclosed
  • A. Babalola (OG) – Out, Knee

USC Injury Report

  • M. Tagoa'i (LB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • H. Dalton III (RB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • A. Graham (CB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • B. Jackson (RB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • E. Paige (OG) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • P. Brown (CB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • C. Johnson (CB) – Out, Knee
  • C. Chittenden (K) – Out, Undisclosed

 

 

 

How To Bet On Michigan vs. USC At Novig & Claim Your $25 Bonus With Promo Code ALARM

Novig is recognized as one of the top platforms for betting on our #15 Michigan vs. USC picks. New users can receive a bonus of up to $25 by following these simple steps: Create a new Novig account here with the Novig promo code ALARM. 

Once you make your initial deposit, you will receive a 50% discount on up to $25 in Novig Cash before placing your first bet, which could be on our #15 Michigan vs. USC predictions! Novig is even legal in California! Click this link to claim your offer today using the Novig promo code ALARM.