The USC Trojans will host the Northwestern Wildcats in Big Ten action in college football on Friday night. The Trojans are heavy favorites on their home turf as they look to remain in the top 25 with a conference win here. Before kickoff from Los Angeles, you can find my breakdown of this matchup, including my Northwestern vs USC prediction.
Our Northwestern vs USC Pick
- Pick: USC Trojans -14.5
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Northwestern Wildcats vs USC Trojans
- Date & Time: Friday, November 7, 2025, 9:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
- Broadcast: FOX
Key Storylines
The USC Trojans are 4-1 in Big Ten play this season and 6-2 overall. They have alternated wins and losses over their last five games. USC bounced back from a 10-point loss to Notre Dame by beating Nebraska in their last game. It was the USC defense that got them through that contest, holding Nebraska to just 17 points. USC will try to repeat that performance on defense here.
Northwestern had an extended winning streak snapped in its last game. The Wildcats lost by a touchdown on the road to Nebraska on October 28 and they will try to bounce back from that loss here. Offensive execution will be the big question mark for Northwestern as they look to upset USC. Northwestern has scored 22 or fewer points in three straight games entering this week and they will likely need more than that to shock USC.
Quarterback Play
USC’s Jayden Maiava is the star attraction at quarterback. Maiava has thrown for 2,315 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions so far this year. He has found wide receiver Makai Lemon for 776 yards and six touchdowns on 50 catches for Lemon.
Preston Stone is the starting quarterback for Northwestern. Stone has 10 touchdown passes and nine interceptions so far this season. He threw two picks and failed to throw a touchdown pass against Nebraska in the Wildcats’ last game and needs to take better care of the football here.
Betting Trends
- Northwestern is 5-2-1 against the spread this season.
- USC is 4-4 against the spread so far this year.
- The total has gone under in five of Northwestern’s eight games so far this season.
- USC has gone 4-4 on their over/unders this season going into Saturday’s game.
- These two programs last met in 1996. This matchup is rare but it is going to happen a lot more often now that these teams are both in the Big Ten.
Northwestern vs USC Model Projection
Score Projection: Northwestern 17 – USC 33
Win Probability: Northwestern 18%, USC 82%
Final Thoughts
My best bet for this matchup from Los Angeles is for the USC Trojans to cover the spread as a home favorite against Northwestern. USC is 4-0 at home so far this season and they should be able to create separation on the scoreboard thanks to the huge advantage in passing offense that they enjoy over Northwestern. I’m expecting another big game from Maiava and for USC to win by more than two touchdowns.
