Wisconsin vs. USC marks the first Big Ten Conference home game for the Trojans in Los Angeles. Check out our Wisconsin vs. USC prediction.
In Week 5, the USC Trojans will make history by hosting their first Big Ten conference game at the iconic Coliseum, where they’ll welcome the Wisconsin Badgers. USC enters the matchup after a hard-fought 27-24 loss to Michigan, a game that slipped away in the final moments. Meanwhile, Wisconsin comes in fresh off a much-needed bye week with a chance to regroup following a rocky start to their season.
The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for the Badgers, who are facing their biggest challenge yet: the loss of starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to a season-ending injury. With Van Dyke sidelined, redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke has had the benefit of an extra week of preparation. Now, Locke is set to make his first start of the season as Wisconsin looks to find its footing and rebound in this crucial Big Ten clash.
Wisconsin vs. USC Betting Preview
All Wisconsin vs. USC odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Monday, Sept. 23.
- Spread
USC -14.5
- Moneyline
Wisconsin +475, USC -675
- Over/Under
50.5
- Game Time
Saturday, Sept. 28, 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Los Angeles
- Predicted Weather at Kick
74 degrees, mostly sunny
- How To Watch
CBS
This line has jumped a ton since opening as USC -6. It has now climbed above two touchdowns to USC -14.5, primarily due to USC’s opening-week win over LSU and Wisconsin’s dominance of Alabama at home two weeks ago, 42-10.
The total hasn’t seen much movement, falling from 53.5, the opening number, to 50.5.
USC suffered its first loss against the spread (ATS) on Saturday. As -4.5 road favorites at Michigan, they fell on a last-second Michigan touchdown 27-24. They come into this one 2-1 ATS on the season.
Wisconsin has struggled against the spread, failing to cover in all three early season contests, twice as a favorite and once as an underdog.
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Wisconsin vs. USC Marquee Players
- QB Miller Moss, USC
- QB Braedyn Locke, Wisconsin
- RB Woody Marks, USC
- RB Chez Mellusi, Wisconsin
- WR Zachariah Branch, USC
- WR Will Pauling, Wisconsin
- WR Lake McRee, USC
The Wisconsin offense, once brimming with promise under the direction of Phil Longo, now finds itself at a crossroads. The loss of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke has shifted the spotlight to Braedyn Locke, a young signal-caller stepping into the unknown, making his first start of the season. With uncertainty in the air, the Badgers are left searching for answers.
Running back Chez Mellusi, a name Wisconsin has leaned on, has struggled to gain traction. His season, which held such high expectations, has seen only one 70-yard game. His latest effort—a modest 66 yards on 11 carries against Alabama—has been symbolic of a team still trying to find its way.
Meanwhile, on the other side, USC marches on, led by the poised and electric Miller Moss. Fresh off a dazzling performance in the hostile environment of Michigan, Moss threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns, nearly delivering the Trojans a signature road win. It wasn’t to be, as Michigan snatched victory with just six seconds left, but Moss once again proved that this USC offense can light up the scoreboard.
Running back, Woody Marks quietly emerged as a force in his own right. Two consecutive 100-yard rushing games, three touchdowns, and a dual-threat presence in the passing game have made Marks a key component of USC’s balanced attack. As the Trojans look ahead, they know they have the firepower to make every game a contest—Moss and Marks, a tandem capable of brilliance.
Two teams, two seasons, each navigating the highs and lows, the promise and pain. The stories are still being written, but for Wisconsin and USC, every snap and play takes them one step closer to a season-defining moment.
Prediction for Wisconsin vs. USC
I’ve only picked one Wisconsin game so far in 2024, and it was hard to envision anything but a tough day for the Badgers, especially against Alabama. My reasoning then was simple: their offense hasn’t figured things out.
Now, with veteran quarterback and Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke out for the season, the situation doesn’t look much better. When Phil Longo was brought in as offensive coordinator under Luke Fickell, Wisconsin seemed to need a shift away from their traditional ground-and-pound toward the high-octane air raid attack Longo made famous at North Carolina. But that consistency has been elusive.
This week, the Badgers must learn from USC’s recent loss to Michigan. Despite throwing for just 32 yards, the Wolverines ran for 290 and scored 27 points to defeat the Trojans. To have a chance, Wisconsin must do the same—control the ground game, chew the clock, and keep this matchup close.
As for the quarterback situation, I’m not entirely convinced Braedyn Locke is a considerable drop-off. Locke was reportedly neck-and-neck with Van Dyke throughout much of the offseason. And when he came in for relief during garbage time against Alabama, he showed some promise. Locke finished 13-of-26 for 125 yards and threw Wisconsin’s only touchdown of the day against a stout Alabama defense.
With extra preparation time during the bye week, Locke might be ready to take the reins in this pivotal Big Ten matchup. While I still lean toward USC taking the win, I also think they’re being overvalued here, and the loss of Van Dyke might be triggering an overreaction. Look for Wisconsin to keep this one closer than many expect.
The Prediction: Wisconsin 23, USC 31
