USC at Illinois - 2025 Matchup Preview
USC logo   USC Trojans at Illinois Fighting Illini  Illinois logo
Saturday, September 27th 2025 (12:00 PM EDT)
USC -6.5 (62.5) (-250)  Open: -1.5
Illinois 34 - USC: 32  (Big Ten)

 
Trojans (9 - 4) (5 - 8 - 0)
Coach Lincoln Riley (25 - 14)
Avg Score : 36 - 23 (27 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 9.7 - 3.3 (#23)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
ILL is playing their 5th straight game
USC is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Illinois -2.5  (SP+ USC -4)

Projected Score: USC: 28 - ILL: 30 (58)
USC Win prob: 68% | Cover: 48%
USC Travel: 1701 miles, 2 hrs behind
Fighting Illini (9 - 4) (8 - 4 - 1)
Coach Bret Bielema (27 - 22)
Avg Score : 29 - 24 (31 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.3 - 4.7 (#51)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)
 
USC's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 USC vs Missouri State-34.559.5W 73 - 13OY
Sat 9/6 USC vs Georgia Southern-29.061.5W 59 - 20OY
Sat 9/13 USC at Purdue-20.559.5W 33 - 17UN
Sat 9/20 USC vs Michigan State-18.555.5W 45 - 31ON
Sat 9/27 USC at Illinois-6.562.5L 32 - 34ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 USC vs Michigan-3.058.5W 31 - 13UY
Sat 10/18 USC at Notre Dame+10.560.5L 24 - 34UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 USC at Nebraska-4.559.5W 21 - 17UN
Fri 11/7 USC vs Northwestern-14.554.5W 38 - 17OY
Sat 11/15 USC vs Iowa-6.548.5W 26 - 21UN
Sat 11/22 USC at Oregon+10.559.5L 27 - 42ON
Sat 11/29 USC vs UCLA-21.059.0W 29 - 10UN
Tue 12/30 USC vs TCU-4.556.5L 27 - 30ON

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 1, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for USC's Schedule
Illinois's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Illinois vs Western Illinois-48.562.5W 52 - 3UY
Sat 9/6 Illinois at Duke-2.549.0W 45 - 19OY
Sat 9/13 Illinois vs Western Michigan-27.550.5W 38 - 0UY
Sat 9/20 Illinois at Indiana+7.051.5L 10 - 63ON
Sat 9/27 Illinois vs USC+6.562.5W 34 - 32OY
Sat 10/4 Illinois at Purdue-7.555.5W 43 - 27OY
Sat 10/11 Illinois vs Ohio State+15.551.5L 16 - 34UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/25 Illinois at Washington+3.554.5L 25 - 42ON
Sat 11/1 Illinois vs Rutgers-13.563.5W 35 - 13UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Illinois vs Maryland-15.551.5W 24 - 6UY
Sat 11/22 Illinois at Wisconsin-8.542.5L 10 - 27UN
Sat 11/29 Illinois vs Northwestern-7.044.5W 20 - 13UN
Tue 12/30 Illinois vs Tennessee+3.062.5W 30 - 28UY

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 1, 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)35.852% (10)3.49 (9)13846% (26)2693.76 (85)#78 (.18)44% (94)2344% (78)44% (103)3.64 (49)461.41.2
ILL#31 (.25)45% (45)29.445% (51)3.14 (49)14044% (44)1984.23 (39)#76 (.18)46% (115)23.650% (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 Offense1335.827.448.4%3.761.4214081382695.540%60%52%46%18%.24
ILL Defense1323.614.446.3%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 Defense132328.843.8%3.641.2 - - - - - 46%53%44%44%14%.18
ILL Offense1329.431.344.6%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: 13.95  #26
USC's Offense Rating: 23.87  #16
USC's Defense Rating: 9.92  #45
2025 Talent Rating: 906.00  #21
Blue Chip Ratio: 40%  #18
USC's 2025 Expected Record: 9.7 - 3.3
USC's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 16.9  #16
USC's Offense SP+ Rating: 38.9  #9
USC's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.0  #36

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
USC: 13.95   Illinois: 17.76

SP+ Ratings Matchup
USC: 16.9   Illinois: 12.9




Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 17.76  #15
Illinois's Offense Rating: 26.51  #8
Illinois's Defense Rating: 8.89  #37
2025 Talent Rating: 864.00  #37
Blue Chip Ratio: 10  #39
Illinois's 2025 Expected Record: 8.3 - 4.7
Illinois's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 12.9  #24
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.3  #27
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.7  #41

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


USC Scoring
Offense: 35.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 27.4
Defense: 23 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.8

USC's 2025 Record
Record: 9 - 4
Record vs Spread: 5 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 6
Record on Road: 2 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 1 - 4 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 4 - 7 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 0 - 3 - 0
Projected Score
Illinois 30
USC 28


Projected Total Points: 58
Illinois Scoring
Offense: 29.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 31.3
Defense: 23.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 14.4

Illinois's 2025 Record
Record: 9 - 4
Record vs Spread: 8 - 4 - 1
Over/Under Record: 5 - 8
Record at home: 6 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 5 - 1 - 1
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 3 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/27Illinois34USC32USC -6.5Illinois62.5Over
200701/01USC49Illinois17
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Illinois111 Overs
USC100 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 01 - 00 - 01 - 0
Road Teams0 - 20 - 10 - 10 - 0

(#26) USC at (#15) ILL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUSCILL
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #26 #15
SP+SP+ #16 #24
Perf GradeGrade #30 #24
OffenseOff #17 #12
DefenseDef #73 #69
Spec TeamsST #124 #91
TalentTal #21 #37
Blue ChipsBC% #18 #39
USC Notes
(11/24) ST's unit has been a disaster all season. Cost vs Oregon
(11/22) WR Tanook Hines (Fr) the next great USC WR?
(11/16) Huge W vs Iowa. Learning to B1G at home?
(11/1) Big W @ Neb (vs QB2). Run Off good, Maiava bad
(10/18) Run Def mauled for 300+ by ND, Maiava good, 3 TOs
(10/18) Mauled Mich up front both sides. 224 rush, big win
(10/12) RB1 Waymond Jordan out til mid November
(9/30) Riley is 0-12 vs spread outside of California
(9/30) Def awful vs Ill, all 500 yds, 8 penalties, 2 TOs, bad L
(9/21) Beatup on cupcakes, back to earth vs Purdue/MSU
(9/21) Defense is far from fixed, Sparty cooked DBs
(9/21) WRs are lethal, Maiava has been great so far
USC Injury Report
Illinois Notes
(11/22) Finishes 2-3 on road after awful L @ Wisconsin
(10/10) 1st in P4 at +42 Pts off TOs w/ a TO margin +7
(9/20) Destroyed by IU, outrushed 267 to 2! Off awful
(8/15) OL banged up in fall camp, not major
(6/6) QB Altmyer 3rd yr w/ OC Lunney. Big goals TY
(6/6) RBs Laughery good, Feegan back from inj (hip)
(6/6) WRs lost top 2, Clement (WVU) + Bowick (BSU)
(6/6) OL has 4/5 back, 3 portals, should improve TY
(6/6) Def looks really deep, could be better unit
(6/6) Secondary one of best in B1G, Pass rush ?
(6/6) Def good LY, returns a lot. 7 portal DL added
(5/23) Illini were 5-1 in 1 score games LY
Illinois Injury Report
USC on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
USC OffILL Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #17 #69
SuccessSuc #11 #115
ExplosiveExp #91 #8
PPAPPA #41 #76
PowerPwr #16 #37
SP+SP+ #9 #41
Pts POPPO #85 #37
HavocHav #101 #117
USC Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
USC OffILL Def
Run GameRun #15 #51
Run SuccessRSuc #10 #127
Run ExplRExp #106 #5
PPAExp #21 #108
Run BlockR Blk #110 -
OL YdsOLY #9 #132
Stuff RateStuff #22 #134
TackleTak -  #33
USC Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
USC OffILL Def
Pass GamePass #21 #99
Pass SuccessPSuc #26 #90
Pass ExplPExl #108 #17
PPAExp #74 #44
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #99 #47
F7 HavocF7 #24 #120
DB HavocDB #134 #84
Illinois on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffUSC Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #12 #73
SuccessSuc #45 #94
ExplosiveExp #44 #24
PPAPPA #31 #78
PowerPwr #8 #45
SP+SP+ #27 #36
Pts POPPO #39 #49
HavocHav #103 #105
Illinois Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffUSC Def
Run GameRun #54 #127
Run SuccessRSuc #51 #78
Run ExplRExp #95 #77
PPAExp #67 #96
Run BlockR Blk #5 -
OL YdsOLY #49 #92
Stuff RateStuff #20 #120
TackleTak -  #30
Illinois Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffUSC Def
Pass GamePass #35 #16
Pass SuccessPSuc #44 #103
Pass ExplPExl #15 #4
PPAExp #16 #49
Pass Block/RushP Blk #74 #64
F7 HavocF7 #107 #127
DB HavocDB #82 #42
Program Comparison
ILL 5 Year Profile: Improving Average P4
'25 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

USC 5 Year Profile: Improving Average P4
'25 Profile: Up to CFP Hopefuls

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 5
USC 6.5 (62.5)
Illinois won vs USC this year (34-32)

Previous Matchups
Illinois beat USC last year (34-32)

  
USC's OC Luke Huard (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jayden Maiava26540366%371124109.2
Husan Longstreet131587%103106.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
King Miller15697286.275
Waymond Jordan8857656.540
Eli Sanders (Tr)4425825.920
Jayden Maiava5415762.921
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Makai Lemon7911561114.674
Ja'Kobi Lane49745415.259
Tanook Hines34561216.551
Lake McRee30450415.064

View USC's Full Roster

USC's DC D'Anton Lynn (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Desman Stephens II863010
Eric Gentry717312
Christian Pierce643103
Bishop Fitzgerald (Tr)513103
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kameryn Fountain3711610
Braylan Shelby276540
Jide Abasiri264420
Eric Gentry717312
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kevin Longstreet (Tr)40004
DeCarlos Nicholson421104
Marcelles Williams370004

ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Luke Altmyer24636567%30072258.2
Ethan Hampton (Tr)3475%27016.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ca'Lil Valentine13161444.725
Kaden Feagin12250774.226
Aidan Laughery7538235.157
Luke Altmyer10024252.436
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Hank Beatty70864312.362
Collin Dixon35548515.761
Hudson Clement (Tr)36454312.627
Justin Bowick (Tr)22265512.025

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Aaron Henry (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey764012
Miles Scott644104
Dylan Rosiek534013
Torrie Cox Jr.501003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gabe Jacas44141161
Leon Lowery203240
Tomiwa Durojaiye (Tr)165231
Joe Barna202212
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaheim Clarke301007
Miles Scott644104
James Kreutz304003