For the first time since 1958, the USC Trojans and Michigan Wolverines will meet in a matchup other than the Rose Bowl as the iconic programs clash as Big Ten foes for the first time Saturday on CBS and Paramount+. They played eight times in the Rose Bowl, with the last coming in 2007. The only other meetings were a home-and-home in 1957 and 1958. Now the No. 11 Trojans (2-0) will look for another big win after knocking off LSU already, while No. 18 Michigan (2-1) hopes for a better result in a marquee matchup after losing to Texas at home in Week 2.
Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. ET in Ann Arbor. The Trojans are 4.5-point favorites in the latest Michigan vs. USC odds via SportsLine consensus. The over/under is 44. Before making any USC vs. Michigan picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
Saturday's game can be seen live on CBS and streamed live on Paramount+, which you can now get for 50% off your first year plus a 7-day free trial (valid through 9/22/24). Sign up here and get half-off.
The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a profit of over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It is also coming off a profitable 13-9 season on top-rated spread picks and is off to a 5-2 start on over/under picks this season. Anyone who has followed it has seen strong returns.
Now, the model has dialed in on Michigan vs. USC and just revealed its coveted picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds for the spread, money line and over/under:
- Michigan vs. USC spread: USC -4.5
- Michigan vs. USC over/under: 44 points
- Michigan vs. USC money line: USC -190, Michigan +156
- Michigan vs. USC picks: See picks here
- Michigan vs. USC streaming: Paramount+ (get 50% off first year now through 9/22/24)
Why Michigan can cover
Michigan's offense has gotten off to a slow start, but the Wolverines are hoping for a jolt from quarterback Alex Orji. He's rotated in with Davis Warren at times through the first three weeks, but coach Sherrone Moore announced on Monday that Orji, a redshirt sophomore, will get his first start. He's known as an electric runner, and now he'll get a chance to put his arm more on display.
Michigan has the pieces to be great on defense with cornerback Will Johnson and defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant returning from last year's championship squad that led the nation in scoring defense. This will also be the first true road test for USC quarterback Miller Moss, who has only started games either at home or in neutral venues. See picks at SportsLine.
Why USC can cover
The Trojans have covered with room to spare in both matchups thus far. Michigan, meanwhile, is 0-3 against the spread and the Wolverines weren't close to covering the past two weeks, beating Arkansas State (+21.5) by just 10 and losing to Texas (-6.5) by 19.
Quarterback Miller Moss has been effective, completing 72.7% of his passes and throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions. Running back Woody Marks, a Mississippi State transfer, leads the way on the ground with a 29-171-3 rushing line on the season. USC's biggest improvement, however, has come defensively after the Trojans were one of the worst defensive units in the nation last year. See picks at SportsLine.
How to make USC vs. Michigan picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 55 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Michigan vs. USC, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up well over $2,000 on top-rated spread picks since its inception, and find out, and don't forget to stream Michigan vs. USC on Paramount+.
