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The USC Trojans take on the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison, WI. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
USC is favored by -3 points on the spread with a moneyline of -152. The total is set at 49.5 points.
Here’s my USC vs. Wisconsin prediction and college football pick for Saturday, October 24, 2026.
USC vs Wisconsin Prediction
- USC vs. Wisconsin Pick: Wisconsin +3
My Wisconsin vs. USC best bet is on the Badgers to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
USC vs Wisconsin Odds
| USC Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -124 | 50.5 -105o / -115u | -156 |
| Wisconsin Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 +102 | 50.5 -105o / -115u | +130 |
- USC vs Wisconsin point spread: USC -2.5 (-124), Wisconsin +2.5 (+102)
- USC vs Wisconsin over/under: 50.5 (-105o / -115u)
- USC vs Wisconsin moneyline: USC -156, Wisconsin +130
USC vs Wisconsin College Football Preview
USC Trojans Betting Preview: Flying Through the Air
USC remains an under-the-radar College Football Playoff contender as the calendar creeps closer to November. The Trojans enter Madison at 6-1 and ranked No. 16, with the lone loss coming against Oregon in a high-scoring affair.
Southern Cal should be fresh entering this one, coming off a bye after probably its best win of the season, going into Penn State and leaving with a 31-23 victory.
I don't care that Penn State is down this year; winning in front of more than 114,000 people at Beaver Stadium was a major statement for a program that has flat-out struggled in road environments in the Big Ten.
Offensively, quarterback Jayden Maiava has been really good and is, for my money, one of the best quarterbacks in America.
The Trojans' signal-caller has thrown for 2,045 yards, 18 touchdowns and only three interceptions while completing nearly 68% of his passes.
USC ranks seventh nationally in overall Success Rate and third in Passing Success Rate, so there hasn't been much fluky about what this offense has accomplished.
Running back King Miller has provided some balance with 595 rushing yards and four touchdowns, but the passing game is what elevates this attack.
That's what makes Saturday's matchup so interesting. Wisconsin ranks 38th nationally in Pass Success Rate allowed and has been one of the country's best defenses at preventing explosive plays.
If the Badgers can force Maiava to consistently string together long drives instead of hitting chunk plays, I think they'll have a chance to keep this game in their comfort zone.
On the other side of the ball, as has been the case throughout Riley's tenure, the defense is holding the team back.
Gary Patterson's stop unit has certainly had its moments, but USC ranks only 74th nationally in Success Rate allowed and 105th in Passing Success Rate allowed.
The Trojans also rank 126th in Defensive Havoc, which isn't ideal against a Wisconsin offense that operates much more efficiently when on schedule.
There's a lot to like about this USC team, but the defense still gives opponents chances. Can it be tough enough to slow down a Wisconsin rushing attack in a hostile environment? Time will tell.
Wisconsin Badgers Betting Preview: String Defense
It's been a bit of an up-and-down start for Wisconsin in what is pretty much a make-or-break year for head coach Luke Fickell. Wisconsin enters Saturday at 4-2 and 2-1 in Big Ten play.
The Badgers went into Penn State and earned an impressive 24-20 win, followed it up with a dominant 31-3 victory over Michigan State, and then suffered a tough 17-7 loss at UCLA in a game where they had some opportunities but could not cash in.
I like this bounce-back spot for the Badgers heading back home to Camp Randall to face a ranked opponent.
Offensively, quarterback Colton Joseph has probably been asked to do a little too much. The ODU transfer has thrown for 1,198 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions, but he's also Wisconsin's leading rusher with 333 yards and four rushing scores.
His ability to create with his legs could be particularly important against a USC defense that hasn't been great at consistently getting opposing offenses off the field.
As a whole, this is a limited offense. Wisconsin ranks just 109th in Success Rate and 122nd in Rushing Success Rate.
However, I think it's a bit better than the numbers suggest, especially when you factor in some of the elite defenses it has faced, namely Notre Dame and UCLA.
If Wisconsin can do a bit more on first down in this one, it will allow Joseph to be in more comfortable situations and create some opportunities for him to stretch the ball downfield.
On the other side of the ball, there's no secret that Fickell has long been an elite defensive mind. This unit is once again very strong and will be the best that USC has faced.
The Badgers rank 23rd nationally in Success Rate allowed, 30th against the run and 38th against the pass. Cooper Catalano leads the team with 50 tackles, while Sebastian Cheeks has consistently generated pressure off the edge.
Maiava and the USC offense will undoubtedly make some plays, but Wisconsin has the personnel and defensive profile to make life much more difficult than what USC has seen thus far.
Forcing a turnover or two would go a long way in helping the Badgers pull off the upset.
USC vs Wisconsin Pick, Betting Analysis
I think this will be a coin-flip game that comes right down to the wire, so I like the home team getting a field goal.
The Badger faithful will be out in large numbers for this matchup, and I expect Wisconsin to feed off of the crowd energy.
USC remains somewhat soft, and Riley's track record going multiple time zones east in Big Ten play hasn't exactly been promising.
Wisconsin will be able to neutralize the USC playmakers, and Joseph and company will be able to move the ball against a USC offense that simply can't stop much these days.
Give me the Badgers and the points in what should be a fun one in Madison.
Pick: Wisconsin +3
