The USC Trojans are fighting to keep their College Football Playoff dreams alive as they prepare to face off against the Northwestern Wildcats in a key Big Ten matchup on Friday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, kicking off at 9pm ET. Currently holding a 6-2 record and ranked 19th in the CFP standings, USC faces an uphill battle to secure a spot in the 12-team postseason tournament, with BetMGM odds at +625. Despite showing signs of strength, their playoff chances were dented by a narrow 34-32 loss to Illinois State, a touchdown underdog. To keep their hopes alive, USC needs to beat a strong Iowa team and pull off a significant upset against Oregon State on November 22.
Before tackling these challenges, the Trojans must not underestimate Northwestern, who sit at 5-3 and are on the brink of a bowl-eligible season despite low preseason expectations. The Wildcats, who still face tough games against Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois, have already stunned many by ending the James Franklin era at Penn State, winning 22-21 as three-touchdown underdogs. USC enters as a 14.5-point favorite with the game total set at 51.5 points.
SportsLine’s predictive model slightly favors USC with a 37-19 expected final score and a 55% chance of covering the spread, but it indicates the over on total points is likely, projecting a 60% chance versus the sportsbook’s 52%. Expert Bruce Marshall supports Northwestern +14.5, emphasizing the Wildcats’ strong defense that allows only 16.8 points per game and suggesting they could cover the big spread after USC’s close call against Nebraska.
In other sports action on Friday, the NBA features the Denver Nuggets hosting the Golden State Warriors at 10pm ET on Prime Video, with the SportsLine model favoring an over of 228.5 points. Meanwhile, in the NHL, the Winnipeg Jets visit the San Jose Sharks at 10pm ET on ESPN+, where the model gives the Sharks the edge with a +1.5 puck line.
Fan Take: This college football showdown is a must-watch for hockey fans who appreciate the thrill of underdog stories and tight defensive battles, elements that carry over well into hockey’s fast-paced intensity. The outcome could set the tone for postseason pressure and resilience in both sports, highlighting how strategic matchups define champions.
