USC at Illinois Game Matchup
USC logo USC Trojans at Illinois Fighting IlliniIllinois logo
Saturday, September 27th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Memorial Stadium - Champaign, IL  (Big Ten)

 
Trojans (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Lincoln Riley (25 - 14)
Avg Score : 30 - 24 (22 - 24 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.1 - 4.9 (#50)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 3) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 4)
ILL is playing their 5th straight game
USC is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Illinois -5.5   (SP+ ILL -3)
Projected Score: USC: 22 - ILL: 28 (52)
ILL Win prob: 67% | Cover: 51%
USC Travel: 1701 miles, 2 hrs behind
Fighting Illini (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (27 - 22)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (32 - 18 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.9 - 3.1 (#19)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 5) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 5)
 
USC's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 USC vs Missouri State-32.50.0
Sat 9/6 USC vs Georgia Southern-17
Sat 9/13 USC at Purdue-21
Sat 9/20 USC vs Michigan State-10.5
Sat 9/27 USC at Illinois+5.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 USC vs Michigan+8
Sat 10/18 USC at Notre Dame+17.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 USC at Nebraska+3.5
Sat 11/8 USC vs Northwestern-15.5
Sat 11/15 USC vs Iowa-2
Sat 11/22 USC at Oregon+18.5
Sat 11/29 USC vs UCLA-10.5

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for USC's Schedule
Illinois's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Illinois vs Western Illinois-37.5
Sat 9/6 Illinois at Duke-5.5
Sat 9/13 Illinois vs Western Michigan-34
Sat 9/20 Illinois at Indiana+1.5
Sat 9/27 Illinois vs USC-5.5
Sat 10/4 Illinois at Purdue-24
Sat 10/11 Illinois vs Ohio State+15
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/25 Illinois at Washington-3
Sat 11/1 Illinois vs Rutgers-10
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Illinois vs Maryland-19.5
Sat 11/22 Illinois at Wisconsin-4
Sat 11/29 Illinois vs Northwestern-18.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 5, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 5, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Illinois's Schedule

Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
USC#41 (.24)48% (11)30.252% (10)3.49 (9)13846% (26)2693.76 (85)#78 (.18)44% (94)24.144% (78)44% (103)3.64 (49)461.41.2
ILL#31 (.25)45% (45)28.345% (51)3.14 (49)14044% (44)1984.23 (39)#76 (.18)46% (115)21.750% (127)43% (90)3.48 (37)390.91.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
USC0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
ILL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
USC Offense1330.221.848.4%3.761.4214081382695.540%60%52%46%18%.24
ILL Defense1321.717.646.3%3.481.5 - - - - - 48%52%50%43%13%.18
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
USC Defense1324.123.843.8%3.641.2 - - - - - 46%53%44%44%14%.18
ILL Offense1328.33244.6%4.230.9193381401984.453%47%45%44%18%.25

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
USC1328:1221.345%47%5.3461.41.23.91.5133.7
Illinois1326:5218.744%50%5.1390.91.53.82.2130.2
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
USC Offense1340% (126)52% (10)25.2138.45.519 (73).23 (21)3.49 (9)85% (6)8% (24)0.89 (106)
ILL Defense1348% (37)50% (127) - - - - .19 (108)3.57 (132)75% (75)8% (120)0.8 (5)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
USC Defense1346% (22)44% (78) - - - - .18 (96)3.17 (92)76% (81)7% (127)1 (77)
ILL Offense1353% (50)45% (51)31.81404.420 (67).13 (67)3.14 (49)81% (17)11% (107)0.91 (95)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
USC Offense1360% (9)46% (26)24.138269.27.111.225 (31)12 (85).25 (74)1.5 (108)29% (24)36% (18).4 (36)10% (134)2 (74)
ILL Defense1352% (95)43% (90) - - - - - - 12 (39).19 (44)1.4 (17)28% (117)34% (111).37 (97)6% (84)1.9 (40)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
USC Defense1353% (113)44% (103) - - - - - - 10 (66).2 (49)1.3 (4)28% (122)27% (27).14 (6)7% (42)1.8 (8)
ILL Offense1347% (83)44% (44)15.425.5197.87.812.921 (51)5 (6).38 (16)1.8 (15)31% (62)31% (81).42 (31)6% (82)2.3 (5)

USC's Power Ratings
USC's Power Rating: 10.84 #34
USC's Offense Rating: 19.36 #39
USC's Defense Rating: 8.52 #30
2025 Talent Rating: 882.00 #22
Blue Chip Ratio: 37% #18
USC's 2025 Expected Record: 7.1 - 4.9
USC's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 11.0 #30
USC's Offense SP+ Rating: 36.2 #13
USC's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.2 #47

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.44
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.31

Power Ratings Matchup
USC: 10.84   Illinois: 16.465

SP+ Ratings Matchup
USC: 11.0   Illinois: 14.3




Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 16.465 #23
Illinois's Offense Rating: 24.24 #14
Illinois's Defense Rating: 10.61 #42
2025 Talent Rating: 824.00 #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 9 #40
Illinois's 2025 Expected Record: 8.9 - 3.1
Illinois's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 14.3 #19
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.3 #28
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.0 #20

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.44
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.31


USC Scoring
Offense: 30.2 PPG
Offense on Road: 21.8
Defense: 24.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 23.8

USC's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Illinois 28
USC 22

Projected Total Points: 52
Illinois Scoring
Offense: 28.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 32
Defense: 21.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 17.6

Illinois's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
200701/01USC49Illinois17USC
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Illinois000 Overs
USC100 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#34) USC Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 10.84 #34
Offense Rating: 19.36 #39
Defense Rating: 8.52 #30
Overall SP+ Rating: 11.0 #30
Offense SP+ Rating: 36.2 #13
Defense SP+ Rating: 25.2 #47
Talent Rating: 882.00 #22
Blue Chip Ratio: 37% #18
Expected Record: 7.1 - 4.9

Team Profile
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 40%
Great Offense Success Rate of 48%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Bad in Scoring Position 3.76 PPO
Great Run Success 52%
Good Pass Success 46%
Bad OL Grades, Great OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Awful Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 44%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.64 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 44%
Poor Pass Def Success 44%
Poor Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position


USC Notes
(5/23) Safeties Ramsey & Fitzgerald a strong duo
(5/13) Caden Chittenden (UNLV) top kicker portal add
(4/4) JUCO RB Waymond Jordan looks great early
(3/22) Riley was 1-4 in road games LY. Yikes.
(3/20) QB Maiava good down the stretch LY
(3/20) RB rebuild, Sanders (NM), some talent
(3/20) WR Lemon/Lane a top combo. #3/depth?
(3/20) OL 2/5 back. Took 2 portals. Not clear
(3/20) Def better LY, but lacked sacks/picks/havoc
(3/20) Def lost a lot. Portal adds - 3 DB, 2 DL.
USC     Ratings Matchup     Illinois
Power #34
#23
Off #39
#14
Def #30
#42
Talent #22
#41
SP+ #30
#19
SP+ Off #13
#28
SP+ Def #47
#20

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: USC | ILL
Depth Chart: USC | ILL
Rosters: USC | ILL
(#23) Illinois Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 16.465 #23
Offense Rating: 24.24 #14
Defense Rating: 10.61 #42
Overall SP+ Rating: 14.3 #19
Offense SP+ Rating: 32.3 #28
Defense SP+ Rating: 18.0 #20
Talent Rating: 824.00 #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 9 #40
Expected Record: 8.9 - 3.1

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
Avg Offense Success Rate of 45%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 4.23 PPO
Avg Run Success 45%
Good Pass Success 44%
Bad OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Awful Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 46%
Good in Scoring Position 3.48 PPO
Awful Run Def Success 50%
Poor Pass Def Success 43%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position


Illinois Notes
(5/23) Illini were 5-1 in 1 score games LY
(4/15) RBs Laughery/Feegan good, McCray portaled
(4/5) OC Lunney underrated, good play caller
(4/5) QB Altmyer 3rd yr w/ OC Lunney. Big year?
(4/4) Beilema good HC, returns a ton. Big year?
(4/4) Def good LY, returns a lot. 5 portal DL added
(3/20) TE Rusk hurt LY, could be big target TY
(3/18) WRs lost top 2, need portals to step up
(3/18) OL has 4/5 back, must improve in '25


  
USC's OC Luke Huard
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jayden Maiava10116960%12011167.1
Makai Lemon11100%390039.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Eli Sanders (Tr)147106497.275
Bryan Jackson3618815.223
Jayden Maiava204542.313
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Makai Lemon52764314.770
Ja'Kobi Lane435251212.233
Prince Strachan (Tr)25304112.237
Lake McRee24245010.234

View USC's Full Roster
USC's DC D'Anton Lynn
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kamari Ramsey606215
D.J. Harvey (Tr)587206
Bishop Fitzgerald (Tr)557028
Eric Gentry337201
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Braylan Shelby285321
Kamari Ramsey606215
Eric Gentry337201
D.J. Harvey (Tr)587206
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bishop Fitzgerald (Tr)557028
D.J. Harvey (Tr)587206
Kamari Ramsey606215

Illinois's OC Barry Lunney Jr.
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Luke Altmyer21134761%27172267.8
Ethan Hampton (Tr)14324558%16081266.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Aidan Laughery9758946.164
Kaden Feagin6730634.634
Luke Altmyer9921742.237
Ca'Lil Valentine5321214.022
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Hudson Clement (Tr)51741514.544
Justin Bowick (Tr)20383319.257
Hank Beatty20294114.759
Collin Dixon18264014.741

View Illinois's Full Roster
Illinois's DC Aaron Henry
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey942005
Gabe Jacas7113890
Dylan Rosiek613201
Miles Scott540004
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gabe Jacas7113890
Alec Bryant222212
Malachi Hood142201
Kenenna Odeluga72200
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Xavier Scott492106
Matthew Bailey942005
Jaheim Clarke341015