USC heads to Madison on Saturday night with plenty hanging over this matchup, and not just because it’s another primetime stage. The No. 16 Trojans are trying to keep their College Football Playoff push on track as they face Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium, their fourth straight night game of the season on NBC.
The Trojans are 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, sitting just outside the CFP picture with five regular-season games left. The schedule doesn’t get friendlier after this.
Waiting later are No. 3 Ohio State on Halloween night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, then No.
6 Indiana on Nov. 14 and No. 9 UCLA.
But first comes a Wisconsin team that has quietly put together a solid start under Luke Fickell.
The Badgers are 4-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play, and their only losses have come against top-10 opponents, No. 4 Notre Dame and No.
9 UCLA. A win over USC would give Wisconsin a major boost and would also knock a dent in the Trojans’ CFP hopes before the Hawkeyes come to town next week ranked No.
USC’s injury situation is still worth watching. Tight end Mark Bowman and Jide Abasiri were both listed as questionable on Wednesday’s Big Ten availability report, and that designation held on Thursday.
On the field, the Trojans know the challenge starts with Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph. USC defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren made it clear the defense has spent time sharpening its approach, especially near the goal line.
“Every great defense has really good red zone defense, not giving up touchdowns. So that’s something we emphasized ever since I got here with Coach Riley and Coach P (Gary Patterson).
They got a good quarterback; they got a good program, so we respect them. Just doing our job, that’s the main emphasis,” VanSumeren said.
Joseph brings a dual threat to the Badgers’ offense. He has passed for 1,198 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions, and he also leads Wisconsin on the ground with 69 carries for 333 yards and four scores.
VanSumeren said USC has already had its share of work against mobile quarterbacks this season, but he also pointed out that past success doesn’t buy anything on Saturday.
“Almost every single team in college nowadays has a quarterback who can run,” VanSumeren said. “That’s popular, and we faced a lot of them this season.
But we’ve done a good job. Yet just because we’ve done a good job in the past, it doesn’t guarantee success in this game.
So we’ve done a really good job emphasizing it over the bye week,” VanSumeren said.
USC goes into the game as a three-point favorite, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, with the over/under set at 50.5 points. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT.
In Other News...
Wisconsin Just Added A New Backcourt Question Before The Season
Braeden Carringtons path to Wisconsin just got a little more complicated, and a lot more interesting. The senior guard has been granted a fifth year of eligibility after a California judge issued an injunction in the Glancey v. NCAA case, a ruling that arrived shortly before the season and temporarily opens the door for 76 seniors, including Carrington, to suit up this year while the NCAA moves toward an appeal.
For the Badgers, it adds another layer to an already crowded backcourt picture. Carrington averaged 8.3 points and 2.4 rebounds last season, and his return gives Wisconsin another experienced option in a rotation that figures to be sorted out over the coming weeks rather than settled now. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Heads Into USC With Two Major Lineup Questions
Wisconsins week of preparation for No. 16 USC comes with a few familiar injury report wrinkles, and the biggest one remains at center. Austin Kawecki is listed as probable despite playing through a broken hand, which at least suggests the Badgers expect to have him available in the middle of the line. The same report also keeps cornerback Javan Robinson and wide receiver Malachi Coleman in the questionable column, giving the offense and defense alike a little uncertainty as game day approaches.
The backfield picture is less clear, with Nate Palmer listed as questionable and Darrion Dupree marked probable. For a Wisconsin team heading into a high-profile Big Ten matchup, those designations matter because they affect not just who starts, but how much flexibility the Badgers have if the game turns into a grind. Even with several players trending toward availability, the final status of a few key pieces will still shape how Wisconsin matches up when the Trojans arrive. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsins USC Upset Bid Comes Down To One Frustrating Fix
Wisconsin heads into its home matchup with No. 16 USC knowing the margin for error is thin, and the Badgers cannot afford the kind of stalled possessions that have repeatedly undercut them this season. Third downs have been a problem, the offensive line has not consistently given the offense the stability it needs, and the running game has left room for more by not fully leaning on its key backs.
The situation gets even sharper with the possibility of center Austin Kawecki returning, which would at least give Wisconsin a chance to steady the middle of the line. Colton Josephs decision-making also looms large, because against a USC offense that can make teams chase points, the Badgers need cleaner drives and fewer turnovers if they want to stay in the game. [Read more 🡒]