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USC Trojans: Heavy Road Favorites Against the Michigan Wolverines

The #18 Michigan Wolverines will host the #11 USC Trojans at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon on CBS. This will be the first game of BIG10 Conference play for both teams. Michigan is 2-1 entering this matchup and USC is 2-0 entering this matchup.

Michigan WolverinesUSC Trojans
Sep 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) celebrates with USC Trojans wide receiver Kyron Hudson (10) after scoring a touchdown against Utah State Aggies during the first quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

It is not a shock that the Wolverines don’t feel like the team they were a season ago, but it is a surprise that the Trojans are a better football team than they were a season ago. It feels as if the Trojans are ready for BIG10 Conference play and head coach Lincoln Riley has prepared them for it.

USC Trojans Favored Heavily On the Road Against the Michigan Wolverines

USC Trojans, Miller Moss
Dec 27, 2023; San Diego, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) looks to pass against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Despite heading into a tough road environment, the USC Trojans are favored by (-5.5) points on the road, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. They have -114 odds to cover the spread and the Michigan Wolverines have -106 odds to cover the spread in the game.

The Trojans have the best quarterback in this football game. Miller Moss has completed 72.7% of his passes for 607 yards and two touchdowns. Woody Marks has rushed for 171 yards on 29 carries and three touchdowns this season, along with averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

Lake McRee leads the team in receiving. He has caught nine passes for 137 yards receiving and zero touchdowns, along with averaging 15.2 yards per catch. This is not the same old Trojans offense in the past, but the defense is what has made this team successful so far this season.

Wolverines Quarterback Woes

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Aug 31, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) runs the ball after he makes an interception in the second half against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Orji was named the starting quarterback for Week 4 against the Trojans over Davis Warren. Sherrone Moore, the head coach for the Wolverines, decided to make this move. Orji only has 15 passing yards this season compared to Warren’s 44, but this quarterback carousel is going to continue for the rest of the season.

Orji has 58 rushing yards and maybe the Wolverines want someone who will be able to run the ball against this Trojans defense. On paper, the USC Trojans are better than the Wolverines. However, this is a big game for both teams in BIG10 Action.

The loser of this football game could have a difficult time making the college football playoffs this season. The Trojans will make the plays when they have to if the game gets tight because they have the better quarterback.

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About Glenn Kaplan

Glenn Kaplan is a sports writer covering all things NFC East related and SEC related on Gridiron Heroics, mainly the New York Giants. He also writes for Wisconsin Sports Heroics.

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