The Big Ten is a mess right now, and that’s exactly why Saturday night in Madison has some real weight to it.
No. 16 USC heads to Camp Randall with a chance to keep itself squarely in the conference race, while Wisconsin is trying to bounce back from its first Big Ten loss after falling at UCLA last week.
The winner can keep leaning into the chaos around the league. The loser will need help from everywhere else.
USC has already shown it can survive on the road this season. The Trojans are 2-0 away from the Coliseum, which matters because road trips have been a problem during Lincoln Riley’s tenure. They’ve also won two straight since the loss to Oregon, and now they get another chance to prove they can keep it going outside of Los Angeles.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, has to shake off an ugly recent trend against USC. The Trojans are 7-1 all time in the series, with Wisconsin’s only win coming in the 2015 Holiday Bowl.
The teams have met once as Big Ten opponents, and USC won that one 38-21 in Los Angeles during the 2024 season. The Badgers have hosted USC twice in Madison and lost both times, though the last of those meetings was back in 1965.
There’s also the bye-week angle working in USC’s favor. While Wisconsin was in Los Angeles last week, USC was at home resting and watching. Under Lincoln Riley, the Trojans are 5-1 coming off a bye and have won three straight in those spots.
Wisconsin’s recent record against ranked visitors at home doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, either. Under Luke Fickell, the Badgers have played six home games against AP-ranked teams and won only once.
That victory came last season against No. 24 Washington.
Four of the five losses were by at least 14 points, though all four came against top-4 teams.
The forecast in Madison won’t provide much help to the Badgers. If there was a night to hope for cold, ugly weather, this would be it. Instead, temperatures are expected to sit in the 60s with a manageable breeze.
That’s part of why the lean here is toward a lower-scoring game. USC has won its two road games, but the offense didn’t look sharp against Penn State, and Wisconsin’s defense is solid. On the other side, there isn’t much trust in the Badgers’ offense to carry the day.
Pick: Under 50.5
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Camp Randall Stadium -- Madison, Wisconsin
TV: NBC
Live stream: Fubo (try free)
USC is the pick from the full panel, with every listed selection pointing to the Trojans both straight up and against the spread at -3.
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USC Passing Game Faces A Real Test As Dixon-Wyatts Role Grows
The next road trip gives USCs passing game a chance to find out how far it has come. Wisconsin brings a defense that has been statistically strong, and that is the kind of matchup that tends to expose timing issues, communication lapses and young receivers still learning how to handle a bigger stage.
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt has become a bigger part of the Trojans offense this season, especially with fellow freshman Trent Mosley sidelined, and he knows the challenge ahead. He talked about the need to stay in sync with Jayden Maiava, a point that matters even more when a receiver is asked to carry extra weight against a defense built to make easy throws hard to find. [Read more 🡒]
USC Defense Has One Road Test Fans Cant Ignore
USCs defense came out of the bye week looking more settled, and Lincoln Riley said the difference has shown up in the way the Trojans are adjusting as games unfold. He pointed to better in-game adaptation and a healthier roster as part of the turnaround, while also crediting defensive coordinator Gary Pattersons move to the booth for helping the unit settle in and cut down on mistakes.
Now comes a tougher road test against Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph, whose ability to hurt defenses both through the air and on the ground gives the matchup a different kind of stress. Riley made it clear that USCs recent progress is encouraging, but the next step is proving the defense can keep playing like a unit that belongs in the conversation with the best ones when the challenge changes. [Read more 🡒]
USC Is Getting Timely National Praise For One Crucial Offensive Strength
The praise has been piling up for USCs offensive front, and it makes sense after the way the unit has protected the Trojans offense this fall. Offensive lineman Paige was named a Midseason First Team All-American by The Athletic, a recognition that reflects how steady he has been at left tackle while USCs line has helped drive the teams strong offensive numbers.
Paige has been especially hard to beat on the edge, allowing just three pressures and no sacks so far this season. The line also landed on the 2026 Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll, another sign that USCs best offensive strength is coming from up front, even if the real test will be keeping that level going as the schedule stiffens. [Read more 🡒]