Michigan football and USC football enter a Big Ten showdown Saturday, Oct. 11, in Los Angeles.
We have an early Wolverines-Trojans prediction and score in Week 7 of the 2025 college football season.
First, let’s set the scene.
It’s the Trojans’ second season in the Big Ten. Last season, the Wolverines pulled out a 27-24 victory over the Trojans in Ann Arbor in Week 4 on an epic run from Kalel Mullings.
Now the Wolverines (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) make the return trip to Southern Cal (4-1, 2-1). USC comes off a bye, and last played Sept. 27, suffering a 34-32 loss at Illinois on a walk-off field goal.
True freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood and Michigan are 1-1 on the road this season, losing 24-13 at Oklahoma in Week 2 and knocking off Nebraska, 30-27, in Week 4. Michigan came off its bye and beat Wisconsin this past Saturday, 24-10.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava and the Trojans are 3-0 at home in 2025, with wins over Missouri State (73-13), Georgia Southern (59-20) and Michigan State (45-31).
So who wins this matchup between two historic college football programs? Here’s our early pick for USC-Michigan football.
USC vs Michigan football prediction in Week 7
Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press: Michigan was able to knock off any road concerns that may have been lingering after going 1-3 in 2024 and losing at Oklahoma in Week 2, prior to knocking off Nebraska.
But traveling to the West Coast is a different beast. Add to it U-M is facing the No. 2 total offense in America (565 yards per game) and it’s no secret defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s unit will need to be at its best.
The Wolverines’ offense has been stout on the ground, but so too is USC, ranked No. 29 vs. the rush (108.4 ypg). This one will be on Bryce Underwood and the passing game to win. Is he capable of doing so? Absolutely. Is it just too much to predict it will happen? Also yes. The early pick: USC 30, Michigan 26.
What time is Michigan vs USC football game?
What channel is Michigan vs USC football game?
Streaming link for Michigan vs USC football game
Watch Michigan-USC on Fubo (free trial)
Michigan vs USC football odds, betting line
Odds provided by BetMGM as of Sunday night.
Make “Hail Yes!” your go-to Wolverines podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify).
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan vs USC prediction, pick for Week 7 Big Ten showdown in LA
Reporting by Tony Garcia and Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
