SB Nation • 8 min read

How to Watch: Michigan Football vs USC, other top games of Week 7

On the road again, the Michigan Wolverines are due for battle with the USC Trojans. It will be the second time the two teams have met since USC joined the conference, and the first ever Big Ten game for Michigan in Los

Angeles.

The two sides clash in hopes to stay at the top of the Big Ten standings. Michigan is looking to protect its undefeated conference record, while USC seeks an opportunity to re-establish itself as a blue blood program and College Football Playoff contender.

Here’s what you need to know about how to watch the game.

No. 15 Michigan Wolverines vs USC Trojans

Day: Saturday, Oct. 11 2025
TV: NBC
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Weather: 76 degrees, sunny
Odds: USC -2.5, O/U: 56.5

There are a lot of reasons to be concerned about this game as a Michigan fan. First off, teams that have had to make the multi-time zone trek have not faired well since the Big Ten became transcontinental. Since the beginning of last season, the former 14 conference teams who have had to travel to the Pac-12 newcomers are 4-12, including a 2-4 record for ranked teams, highlighted by Penn State’s loss to winless UCLA last weekend. USC has also had two weeks to prepare for the Wolverines coming the the Coliseum.

Lincoln Riley is also coaching a hell of an offense led by a quarterback who is having a historically great season. Jayden Maiava is having statistically the best season for a signal caller in the Big Ten. He leads the conference in passing yards with 1,587 in just five games while completing more than 70 percent of his passes. He has 15 total touchdowns to only one interception.

The offensive line play has improved dramatically as well, allowing just four sacks all season, one being to backup quarterback Husan Longstreet in garbage time. They are protecting Maiava well, and he has a slew of weapons led by wide receiver Makai Lemon. This kid is the real deal, posting 35 receptions for 589 yards and five touchdowns this season.

When thinking through all of this, it can seem overwhelming, and that’s why ESPN analytics gives Michigan a 31.5 percent chance of winning this game and why the oddsmakers favor the Trojans.

At the same time, Michigan might be the best team and the best defense the Trojans will have played this year. That loss to Illinois certainly triggered some things, particularly because just a week prior, the Fighting Illini lost to Indiana by 53. USC and Illinois’ game came down to the final possession, as Illinois blew a two-touchdown lead and scurried away with a game-winning field goal.

The Wolverines also are coming in prepared. Thanks to an assist from former head coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan will be practicing at the Los Angeles Chargers’ facility the day before the game. Getting the extra day to adjust to the time zone and practice could be a luxury many other midwestern teams who have traveled to the West Coast have struggled with.

To win this game, Michigan must start fast. Justice Haynes and the offensive line have to control the line of scrimmage to ensure it doesn’t turn into a shootout. That’s not a winning formula for Sherrone Moore, even with a Ferrari like Underwood at quarterback. Haynes is the best running back USC will have faced, and controlling possession in this game akin to what Michigan has done against Ohio State the last four seasons is a recipe for causing frustration and a lack of rhythm from this Trojans’ offense.

Earlier this week, I picked Michigan to win in Maize n Brew’s roundtable (which will be published tomorrow morning), but as the week has progressed I have gotten less confident. Even with all that is against them, I still think USC hasn’t proven enough against good teams to show it can keep up this pace against better opponents. I’m going to stick with my pick of the Wolverines and hope I’m not being too much of a homer.

The play: Michigan ML (+115)

Season Total: 15-9 (+4.76 units)

Other top games in Week 7

Noon ET (FOX) – No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini