Wisconsin will be facing off against No. 13 Southern California on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The current BetMGM College Football Odds have USC as the favorite by 15 1/2 points. USC leads the series between the two teams with a record of 6-1.
There is a lot at stake in this game as the winner will continue to be in the running to reach the Big Ten title game, while the loser will face challenges due to tough remaining schedules. USC suffered a 27-24 loss to No. 12 Michigan in its Big Ten debut, struggling to contain Michigan’s offense. Wisconsin, on the other hand, had a week off to regroup after a 42-10 defeat to No. 4 Alabama on Sept. 14 and is now introducing Braedyn Locke as the new starting quarterback following Tyler Van Dyke’s ACL injury.
One key matchup to watch is Wisconsin’s running back Chez Mellusi against USC’s linebacker Eric Gentry. With USC’s defense allowing 290 rushing yards in the previous game, Wisconsin will need Mellusi to have a strong performance to secure a victory in their conference opener. Mellusi leads the team with 200 yards and three touchdowns in three games, while Gentry has been excelling under the guidance of new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.
A player to keep an eye on for Wisconsin is Braedyn Locke, who is stepping in as the starting quarterback after a challenging performance against Alabama. Locke, a third-year sophomore, will be looking to make an impact in this crucial game. For USC, running back Woody Marks has been consistent, rushing for 100 yards in two consecutive games and showcasing his versatility with receiving yards as well.
In terms of facts and figures, USC’s quarterback Miller Moss had a tough outing against Michigan, completing only 54.9% of his passes with four sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown. Fun fact, Wisconsin’s safeties coach Alex Grinch previously served as the Trojans’ defensive coordinator. The Badgers secured their first win in the series against USC in the 2015 Holiday Bowl, with USC having won both games at the LA Memorial Coliseum by significant margins.
The upcoming game between Wisconsin and USC promises to be an intense battle with both teams looking to secure a crucial victory to stay competitive in their respective conferences.