Don't worry about style points! In Michigan's last seven games, included are dates vs...Ohio State, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. None of those four games came at Ann Arbor, yet the Wolverines won three of those. The only loss came at Norman in early September during the first road start for frosh QB Bryce Underwood, who has made good progress since. Line-of-scrimmage teams in the Big Ten continue to be a bother to USC, whose defense has started to spring some leaks again. Also note that Michigan won this matchup 27-24 a year ago at the Big House without benefit of a passing game, netting just 32 yards thru the air from QB Alex Orgi. Underwood's recent progress suggests a sharper-edged Wolverines in 2025. Play Michigan

USC looks like the same USC of recent years. It has an explosive offense and can overwhelm inferior competition, but when it runs into teams that have big bodies on the lines of scrimmage, it gets pushed around. Enter Michigan.

I have to continue betting USC home overs until they cost me, even against a solid Michigan defense. The average combined point total in USC's last eight home games dating back to last year is 70, including totals of 86, 79, and 76 in 2025. The Wolverines showed enough holes on defense against Nebraska a few weeks ago that I feel more confident in USC scoring 30 or more points at home as they do pretty much every time under Lincoln Riley. Fun game on tap at the L.A. Coliseum. USC 34, Michigan 30.