No. 20 USC is hosting Northwestern on Friday night of Week 11. The game will take place at 9:00 p.m. ET in Los Angeles, California.
The Trojans are 14.5-point home favorites in this game on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at 50.5 points. This is a preview, prediction and pick for this Northwestern vs. USC Big Ten conference matchup.
Northwestern vs. USC prediction, preview
Northwestern Preview
It has been a great season for Northwestern. The Wildcats have a winning record in Big Ten play and are just one win away from bowl eligibility. After a four-win season in 2024, this is a great momentum builder for David Braun if his team can finish the season strong. SMU transfer Preston Stone has struggled with turnovers this season, but he has at least provided a level of stability at quarterback that Northwestern has been lacking. Northwestern also has a good running back group, led by Caleb Komolafe. Komolafe is coming off his best game of the season, where he went for 125 yards against Nebraska. This is an important West Coast trip for Northwestern to keep the competitive results going as it battles for bowl eligibility.
USC Preview
USC is sitting at No. 19 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. If the Trojans win out, they will make their first College Football Playoff appearance under Lincoln Riley. Despite having some great teams, Riley has not been good enough to get into the CFP field at USC. That would be a massive step forward in re-establishing this program as one of the best in the nation. Jayden Maiava has been spectacular for the Trojans, putting up some of the biggest passing numbers in the country this season. Maiava has been particularly stellar at home, averaging over 300 passing yards per game in four home games this season. This Northwestern defense will be a tough test for Maiava, but he needs to be at his best for USC to survive the final stretch of this schedule.
Northwestern vs. USC pick, best bet
My best bet for this game is for Northwestern to cover the 14.5-point spread. This team plays a style of football that keeps them competitive against almost everybody. Over its last five games, Northwestern is 4-1 with the lone loss coming by a touchdown on the road against Nebraska. The Wildcats are also coming off a bye week. That means not only will they be well prepared for this game, but they will be less affected by having to travel out to the West Coast.
While Northwestern is well-rested, USC is coming off a hard-fought game on the road against Nebraska. Now this game is being played on a short week for the Trojans. Northwestern ranks 36th in the nation in defensive EPA/pass and should slow USC down. Meanwhile, the Wildcats are facing a USC defense that ranks 93rd in defensive EPA/rush. If Northwestern can run the ball well and prevent explosive passing plays, it should cover the spread against USC.
