FBS-CFB Game Preview: Northwestern Wildcats (5-3) vs. USC Trojans (6-2)

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Venue & Match Details

Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

Kickoff: 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT

Broadcast: FOX

Weather Forecast: Clear skies, 64°F at kickoff, light winds (5–7 mph). Ideal conditions for a night game in Southern California.

Injury Report

Northwestern Wildcats:

QB Preston Stone – active, but coming off a 2-INT game vs. Nebraska.

RB Caleb Komolafe – healthy, rushed for 125 yards and 2 TDs last week.

No major new injuries reported.

USC Trojans:

QB Jayden Maiava – healthy, dual-threat QB with 15 TDs this season.

RB King Miller – active, 129 rushing yards vs. Nebraska.

WR Makai Lemon – available, team’s leading receiver.

Player Matchups

QB Preston Stone (NW): 1,372 yards, 10 TDs, 9 INTs; must protect the ball against USC’s opportunistic defense.

QB Jayden Maiava (USC): 2,315 yards, 15 TDs, 5 INTs; adds mobility (62 rushing yards, 1 TD vs. Nebraska).

RB Caleb Komolafe (NW): 608 yards, 7 TDs; faces USC’s front seven.

RB King Miller (USC): 576 yards, 5 TDs; complements Maiava in the ground game.

WR Griffin Wilde (NW): 570 yards, 4 TDs; top downfield threat.

WR Makai Lemon (USC): 776 yards, 6 TDs; matchup nightmare for Northwestern’s secondary.

Team Form

Northwestern Wildcats:

Last 5: L–W–W–L–L

Offense: 360.3 YPG (91st FBS), 22.5 PPG (102nd)

Defense: 304.3 YPG allowed (19th), 16.8 PPG allowed (13th)

USC Trojans:

Last 5: W–L–W–L–W

Offense: 505.9 YPG (2nd FBS), 39.8 PPG (8th)

Defense: 355.1 YPG allowed (56th), 22.4 PPG allowed (53rd)

Series History

First-ever Big Ten meeting between the programs.

USC undefeated at home in 2025 (4–0).

Northwestern 2–2 on the road this season.

Betting Trends

USC: 4–4 ATS this season; 2–2 ATS as a 14+ point favorite.

Northwestern: 5–3 ATS; 2–0 ATS as a 14+ point underdog.

USC: 4 of 8 games Over the total.

Northwestern: 5 of 8 games Under the total.

Northwestern ranks 6th nationally in time of possession (33:23), while USC ranks 59th (30:22).

Projected Score: USC 31 – Northwestern 13

Game Odds

Northwestern Wildcats                50.5

USC Trojans                                        – 14.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, November 6, 2025