Venue & Game Details
Kickoff Time: 12:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM CT
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois
Capacity: ~60,670
Broadcast: FOX (Big Noon Kickoff on site)
Weather Forecast (Champaign, IL)
Kickoff Temperature: ~71°F (22°C)
Conditions: Partly cloudy, light breeze
Wind: 7–10 mph from the west
Precipitation: ~15% chance of light showers
Impact: Mild Midwestern fall weather; no major disruptions expected.
Injury Report
USC Trojans:
QB Jayden Maiava – healthy, 1,223 yards, 9 TDs, 0 INTs.
RB Waymond Jordan – healthy, 443 yards, 3 TDs.
WR Makai Lemon – healthy, 438 yards, 3 TDs.
DE Jahkeem Stewart – healthy, leads team in sacks.
Illinois Fighting Illini:
QB Luke Altmyer – healthy, 855 yards, 9 TDs, 0 INTs.
RB Kaden Feagin – healthy, 240 yards, 3 TDs.
WR Hank Beatty – healthy, 302 yards, 1 TD.
LB Dylan Rosiek – questionable (ankle).
Key Player Matchups
Jayden Maiava (USC QB) vs. Illinois Secondary
Maiava has been flawless with no interceptions.
Illinois’ pass defense ranks 70th nationally (212 ypg allowed).
Luke Altmyer (Illinois QB) vs. USC Pass Rush
Altmyer has been efficient but faces a USC defense that leads the nation in sacks.
USC’s Jahkeem Stewart is a game-wrecker off the edge.
Waymond Jordan (USC RB) vs. Illinois Front Seven
Jordan averaging 7.8 ypc.
Illinois allows 134 rushing ypg (65th nationally).
Hank Beatty (Illinois WR) vs. USC Corners
Beatty is Altmyer’s top target.
USC’s secondary has been vulnerable to big plays (231 ypg allowed).
Recent Team Form
USC Trojans (4–0)
W 45–31 vs. Michigan State (Week 4)
W 52–14 vs. Minnesota (Week 3)
W 41–17 vs. Northwestern (Week 2)
W 38–21 vs. Purdue (Week 1)
Strengths: Explosive offense (583.8 ypg, 5th nationally).
Weaknesses: Penalties (128th in FBS, 79.8 ypg).
Illinois Fighting Illini (3–1)
L 10–63 @ Indiana (Week 4)
W 34–20 vs. Kansas (Week 3)
W 38–14 vs. Toledo (Week 2)
W 28–17 vs. Akron (Week 1)
Strengths: Turnover margin (+5, 10th nationally).
Weaknesses: Defense inconsistent, especially vs. explosive passing attacks.
Conference vs. Conference
Both are Big Ten members (USC joined in 2024).
This is a conference matchup with major Top 25 implications.
Series History
All-time series: USC leads 11–2.
Last meeting: USC beat Illinois 49–17 in the 2008 Rose Bowl.
Trend: USC has won 10 straight in the series.
Betting Trends
USC Trojans:
3–1 ATS in 2025.
5–2 ATS in last 7 Big Ten games.
3 of 4 games have gone Over.
Illinois Fighting Illini:
2–2 ATS in 2025.
1–4 ATS in last 5 vs. ranked opponents.
2 of 4 games have gone Over.
Historical Betting Results
2008 Rose Bowl: USC -14 covered in 49–17 win (Over cashed).
1996: USC -7 covered in 55–3 win (Over cashed).
1989: USC -10 covered in 41–7 win (Over cashed).
Game Odds
USC Trojans – 7
Illinois Fighting Illini 60.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
