Kickoff: 11:00 PM ET (8:00 PM PT local)
Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California (Capacity: ~77,500)
Broadcast: FOX
Weather Forecast (Los Angeles, CA)
Temperature: ~79°F (26°C) at kickoff, cooling into the low 70s by the 4th quarter
Conditions: Clear skies, light coastal breeze (5–7 mph)
Impact: Perfect Southern California night; no weather disruptions expected.
Injury Report
Michigan State Spartans (Big Ten):
QB Aidan Chiles (647 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs; 152 rushing yards, 2 TDs) healthy.
RB Elijah Tau-Tolliver (187 rushing yards, 3 TDs) available.
WR Nick Marsh (188 yards, 1 TD) active.
Defense intact, led by LB Jordan Hall (team-high tackles).
USC Trojans (Big Ten):
QB Jayden Maiava (812 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT; 1 rushing TD) healthy.
RB Waymond Jordan (211 rushing yards, 3 TDs) available.
WR Ja’Kobi Lane (12 catches, 276 yards, 2 TDs) active.
Defense led by LB Tackett Curtis (21 tackles).
Key Player Matchups
QB Aidan Chiles (MSU) vs. USC Secondary
Chiles is a dual-threat who has accounted for 8 total TDs; USC must contain his scrambling ability.
RB Elijah Tau-Tolliver (MSU) vs. USC Front Seven
Tau-Tolliver is averaging 5.6 YPC; Trojans must prevent chunk runs.
QB Jayden Maiava (USC) vs. MSU Pass Rush
Maiava has been efficient and explosive; Spartans must pressure him to avoid another 250+ yard outing.
WR Ja’Kobi Lane (USC) vs. MSU Corners
Lane is averaging 23 YPC; Michigan State must double him in deep-ball situations.
Recent Team Form
Michigan State Spartans (3–0, Big Ten)
8/30/25: W 23–6 vs. Western Michigan
9/6/25: W 45–42 (2OT) vs. Boston College
9/13/25: W 41–24 vs. Youngstown State
Trend: Offense led by Chiles has been clutch late, but defense has been leaky (allowing 24+ in 2 of 3 games).
USC Trojans (3–0, Big Ten)
8/30/25: W 52–10 vs. Missouri State
9/6/25: W 45–14 vs. Georgia Southern
9/13/25: W 33–17 @ Purdue
Trend: Offense averaging 43.3 PPG, defense improving after shaky 2024 season.
Series History
USC leads the all-time series 6–0.
Last meeting: 1990, USC won 23–14 in the John Hancock Bowl.
First Big Ten meeting between the programs.
Betting Trends
Michigan State:
0–3 ATS in 2025.
2 of 3 games have gone over the total.
1–5 ATS in last 6 road games.
USC:
2–1 ATS in 2025.
2 of 3 games have gone over the total.
5–2 ATS in last 7 home games.
Head-to-Head:
USC 6–0 SU all-time vs. Michigan State.
Last 3 meetings all went under the total.
Historical Betting Results
Michigan State: Struggles ATS as a road underdog; defense vulnerable against high-powered offenses.
USC: Strong ATS at home as a double-digit favorite; offense often pushes games over.
Big Ten Trends: West Coast Big Ten teams (USC, UCLA, Oregon, Washington) have covered ~60% of early-season home games since joining.
Game Odds
Michigan State Spartans 55
USC Trojans – 19
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
