The USC-Michigan game on Saturday should be a great matchup between two teams trying to prove they can contend in the Big Ten this season. Both teams can benefit from a win, and if they want to go far this season, neither can afford a loss.
Wolverines Wire reporter Isaiah Hole breaks down how the rest of the season can play out for Michigan. Here are his thoughts on the ESPN FPI game odds for Michigan and USC:
“Michigan football didn’t wow critics (or fans) with the 24-10 win over Wisconsin, but the maize and blue showed off their defensive prowess while the offense thrived in the second half of the game. The meat of the schedule will continue, with a road trip to USC, a home game against Washington, and another road game at rival MSU in the next three weeks. ESPN FPI looks forward and gives something of an advanced analytic projection of who will win each game. The Wolverines need to beat USC if they’re going to achieve more than going to a non-College Football Playoff game. Here are the chances that FPI gives Michigan to win each game.
“Here’s how it plays out according to ESPN: Michigan’s chances to win: 31.5% (down since last week)
“Michigan went down according to FPI in every game. Even still, the Wolverines would finish the season 9-3 if it were to win the games they’re expected to win and lose the games they’re expected to lose. Thus, a win at USC would be monumental, and with that, the maize and blue very well could get into the College Football Playoff, even with another loss down the line.”
The upcoming game against USC is huge for both the Wolverines and The Trojans. Both teams if they want to have their College Football Playoff chances continue to have life they can not lose Saturday. Playoff implications should make this game have some real intensity to it.
Last season, the matchup between the two teams went down to the wire and had a 27-24 final score with the USC Trojans coming up short. The Trojans are expected to win this game this season, but it can still be a statement game for them. Winning this game will get the Trojans right back on track. How they win this game will matter as but getting a win against a tough Michigan football team will be beneficial for the rest of the season.
The Trojans can not go into next week against a hot Notre Dame team with a devastating loss to Michigan the week prior. These next two games will prove exactly what this USC Trojans team is this season. If the Illinois game was just not their day, they will win the next two, but if that game is exactly who they are, they will lose the next 2.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: ESPN number-crunchers like USC’s chances versus Michigan Saturday
Reporting by Micah Huff, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
