by Rod Pearson
Monday, Nov 03, 2025
Game Time: 9:00 pm ET, Friday, November 7, 2025
Venue: LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: NW +14.5, USC -14.5; Over/Under: 52.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: NW +14.5, USC -14.5; Over/Under: 52 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: NW +14.5, USC -14.5; Over/Under: 51.5 points
Season Record
Northwestern Wildcats: 5-3 (3-2) (8th place, Big Ten)
USC Trojans: 6-2 (4-1) (6th place, Big Ten)
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Recent Form
Northwestern Wildcats: lost their last game on the road against the Nebraska Cornhuskers 28-21.
USC Trojans: won their last game on the road against the Nebraska Cornhuskers 21-17.
Northwestern Wildcats vs USC Trojans Preview and Analysis
Northwestern is entering this game with a 5-3 record overall and they have a 3-2 record in their conference games too. They are 4-1 in their home games, 1-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against Nebraska 28-21. Preston Stone was the starting QB and he completed 15/29 passes for 159 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Caleb Komolafe led the team in rushing yards with 125 and 2 TDs. Griffin Wilde led the receivers with 54 receiving yards on 3 receptions. Robert Fitzgerald led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Aidan Hubbard led the defense in sacks with 1. Mac Uihlein came away with the only interception for them in that one.
USC is entering this game with a 6-2 record overall and they have a 4-1 record in their conference games too. They are 4-0 in their home games, 2-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against Nebraska 21-17. Jayden Maiava was the starting QB and he completed 9/23 passes for 135 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception. King Miller led the team in rushing yards with 129 and 1 TD. Jaden Richardson led the receivers with 43 receiving yards on 1 reception. Desman Stephens II led the defense in that game with 8 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Anthony Lucas led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
Northwestern vs USC Prediction
The current betting odds have USC listed as a 14.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. USC has looked really good in their games this season with their 6-2 record overall and their 4-1 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big Ten. They are off a 21-17 road win over Nebraska in their last one and their offense didn't look great in that game, but they still found a way to get the win and have looked a lot better on their home field this year with their 4-0 home record. Meanwhile, Northwestern has looked good in their games this season with their 5-3 record overall and their 3-2 conference record which has them in the top half of the Big Ten. They are coming out of their bye week and have had some extra time to prepare, but they are also off a 28-21 loss to Nebraska in their last one and they haven't looked as good against stronger opponents. They have looked great against some of the weaker Big Ten opponents they have faced, but this is a big step up in talent for them. Teams have also struggled making the trip out West to play at USC so this isn't a great situation for Northwestern, especially with USC coming off a win in a game where they didn't look good. USC is going to be looking to have a better game here and they are still trying to keep whatever playoff hopes they have alive. The best way to place a bet here is on USC to cover the spread in this game.
Northwestern USC Prediction: Our NCAAF Pick for Friday, November 7, 2025 (9:00 pm ET start time) is USC 42 Northwestern 17.
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NCAAF Betting Trends
Northwestern Wildcats: 5-0 ATS after 3 or more consecutive wins against the spread. 9-3 ATS after playing their last game on the road. 8-3 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 75%). 5-0 OVER off a road loss against a conference rival. 4-1 OVER versus good rushing teams - averaging 200 rushing yards/game or more.
USC Trojans: 8-15 ATS against conference opponents. 2-10 ATS off a win against a conference rival. 6-12 ATS after 1 or more consecutive straight up wins. 12-5 OVER in home lined games. 5-1 OVER in a home game where the total is between 49.5 and 56. 5-0 OVER off a road win against a conference rival.
Key Injuries
Northwestern Wildcats: L. Creager (LB) Questionable - Undisclosed. B. Blueitt (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Borcherding (OG) Questionable - Undisclosed. T. Crane (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. M. Smith (LB) Questionable - Undisclosed. B. Strong (DL) Questionable - Undisclosed. M. Jackson (DL) Questionable - Undisclosed. O. Adeyi (CB) Questionable - Undisclosed. C. Russell (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. C. Grove (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Lewis (CB) Out - Undisclosed. Y. Karlaftis (LB) Out - Undisclosed. D. Roberts (DL) Out - Undisclosed. C. Porter (RB) Out - Lower Body.
USC Trojans: E. Paige (OG) Questionable - Undisclosed. W. Jordan (RB) Doubtful - Ankle. D. Harvey (CB) Questionable - Undisclosed. A. Beavers Jr. (LB) Questionable - Undisclosed. M. Banuelos (OG) Questionable - Undisclosed. F. Boucard (DL) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Jarrett (DL) Questionable - Undisclosed. C. Chittenden (K) Questionable - Undisclosed. P. Brown (CB) Questionable - Undisclosed. K. O'Connor (OG) Questionable - Undisclosed. E. Sanders (RB) Out - Knee. C. Johnson (CB) Out - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“What a swing of momentum and emotions there in the fourth quarter. We’re in a position to, worst case scenario, go kick a field goal. But you go from going up a touchdown to all of a sudden you're 10 yards back, you're out of field-goal range and it ends up resulting in an interception. Then our defense has a chance to get off the field. They had multiple third-and-longs and we weren’t able to get off the field.” - David Braun after his team’s loss against Nebraska in their last game.
“You come to a place like this, against a good football team, and the night kick and crowd riled up, I’d be surprised if they have a better crowd any time this year than that tonight. They were tremendous. And so, yeah, to overcome all that was great. Is it a sign of progress? Of course, it is now.” - Lincoln Riley after his team’s win against Nebraska in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Northwestern Wildcats
WR Eligon II, Hayden
WR Wilde, Griffin
WR Wagner, Drew
TE Albright, Lawson
QB Stone, Preston
RB Komolafe, Caleb
USC Trojans
WR Lane, Ja'Kobi
WR Hines, Tanook
WR Lemon, Makai
TE McRee, Lake
QB Maiava, Jayden
RB Jordan, Waymond
Statistical Leaders
Northwestern Wildcats
Passing: Preston Stone (1,372)
Rushing: Caleb Komolafe (608)
Receiving: Griffin Wilde (570)
Touchdowns: Caleb Komolafe (7)
USC Trojans
Passing: Jayden Maiava (2,315)
Rushing: Waymond Jordan (576)
Receiving: Makai Lemon (776)
Touchdowns: Makai Lemon (7)
Coaches:
Northwestern Wildcats: David Braun (3rd season)
USC Trojans: Lincoln Riley (4th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
