USC and Michigan, both ranked in the top 20, face off on Saturday in Ann Arbor in their first Big Ten conference game as members of the newly expanded league. The Trojans, led by Lincoln Riley, are looking to continue their strong start to the season, while the Wolverines, under first-year head coach Sherrone Moore, are seeking to turn around their inconsistent play.
The No. 11 USC Trojans and defending national champion No. 18 Michigan Wolverines will meet on Saturday in Ann Arbor for a historic Big Ten showdown. The game marks USC's first conference game as a member of the Big Ten, following their move from the Pac-12.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley recognizes the significance of the matchup. "It's a landmark game," Riley said. "It's not surprising that the Big Ten would put these two iconic teams against each other early on in the season."
USC, Michigan Clash in Historic Big Ten Debut
USC and Michigan have a long and storied history, having met 10 times previously with the Trojans holding a 6-4 advantage. Their last encounter was in the 2007 Rose Bowl, where USC emerged victorious.
However, the two teams enter this game with contrasting trajectories. USC has opened the season with an impressive win over No. 16 LSU and a dominant shutout of Utah State. Quarterback Miller Moss has been impressive, completing 72.7% of his passes.
Michigan, on the other hand, has struggled at times. They won their season opener against Fresno State by a narrow margin, were dominated by No. 1 Texas, and only managed to beat Arkansas State by 10 points. The Wolverines have been hampered by inconsistent quarterback play and a lack of offensive production.
Defensively, USC has a new identity under former UCLA defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn. Michigan's defense, once a strength, has struggled this season, allowing more yardage and points than in their championship season.
FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt believes USC holds an advantage on defense due to Michigan's quarterback uncertainty. "This team [USC] faces a Michigan team that is in full identity crisis," said Klatt. "They're changing the quarterback, and it's not just like one-for-another: it's an entire philosophy for another."
USC's schedule after Michigan includes home games against No. 10 Penn State, No. 23 Nebraska, and No. 17 Notre Dame, as well as a road trip to former Pac-12 rival Washington. Michigan, meanwhile, hosts undefeated Michigan State and No. 9 Oregon, while traveling to Washington, undefeated Indiana, and No. 3 Ohio State.
The USC-Michigan matchup promises to be an intriguing battle between two storied programs with contrasting styles. USC's dynamic offense will face a Michigan defense looking to regain its form, while the Trojans' new-look defense will test a struggling Michigan offense. The outcome will have implications for both teams' hopes for success in the Big Ten and beyond.
