No. 11 USC and No. 18 Michigan will meet in a regular season game for the first time since 1958 when the Wolverines played the Trojans for the first time as a Big Ten foe. Eight of their last 10 games have come in the Rose Bowl, just the second time USC has played inside Michigan Stadium.
College football’s two powerhouse teams enter the game riding very different tones after both faced significant early season setbacks. USC passed its Week 1 test against LSU, winning 27-20 while showing some much-needed improvement on defense. Michigan presented its first major challenge with a weak showing in a 31-12 Week 2 home loss to Texas.
First-year Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore is turning to junior quarterback Alex Orji for a spark this week. But Orji will have his hands full against the Trojans, who come off the back of limiting LSU’s running game and then shutout Utah State in Week 2. The Texas debacle also left the defense of Wolverines with something to prove as Trojans quarterback Miller Moss. he starts his first job.
As these two historic empires prepare to square off with CBS in the Big House, here are some stories worth checking out.
How to watch Michigan vs. USC live
Sun: Saturday, Sept. 21 | Time: 3:30 pm ET
Location: Michigan Stadium — Ann Arbor, Michigan
TV: CBS | Stream live: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Streaming to Paramount+ with Showtime (Try it Free)
Michigan vs. USC: You need to know
Orji is QB1: Orji has attempted just seven passes in three seasons at Michigan. He will now step into the starting line-up for the marquee game after playing sparingly in the first three weeks of the season. With the departed Davis Warren unable to spark the Wolverines’ passing game, it will be up to Orji to bring some life to Michigan’s offense. Orji’s running ability is his calling card, but he will have to show some poise in the passing game in order to prevent USC from filling the box to take away Michigan’s rushing attack. Moore said this week that Orji’s accuracy has “improved dramatically.” But that has to translate on the big stage if Michigan is going to have a chance.
Reproduced under Lynn: USC is ranked No. 116 nationally in total defense last season as the Trojans struggled to an 8-5 record after starting the year No. 6 in early AP polls. Riley fired coordinator Alex Grinch after five seasons together between Oklahoma and USC and brought in D’Anton Lynn, who shined as UCLA’s defensive coordinator in 2023. First return It’s encouraging, but Michigan will present a new challenge. As the Trojans shut down LSU’s rushing attack, the Tigers proved they had no lineup on the ground. Michigan is built to run the football, which will test USC’s physicality. With Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards at running back, combined with the movement of Orji, it’s no secret that Michigan will want to hit the rock.
Effects of conversion: Conference realignment has changed the foundation of college football by bringing together the sport’s strongest names in four conferences, many of which are now in the Big Ten and SEC. Among the frustrations of the arrangement are the abandonment of regional agreement and the disruption of cultural conflicts. The main thing is regular season blockbuster games like this. Later this season, we will also get a sixth meeting between USC and Nebraska and a sixth meeting between Oregon and Michigan.
Michigan vs. USC predict, polls
Michigan is turning to freshman Alex Orji in hopes of sparking the offense after a rough start. But it’s clear that the Michigan staff doesn’t trust Orji to throw the football, which means the Wolverines will still be one-sided. The Trojans look very strong defensively under first-year coordinator D’Anton Lynn and should have the luxury of contributing against the run. USC also has enough firepower to exploit soft spots in a Michigan defense that isn’t as strong as its 2023 counterpart. Select: USC -6
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