PREVIEW AND PREDICTION: College Football Week 11 Edition

USC vs. Northwestern
Friday, November 7 – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles, CA)
Photographer: Richard Do
TV: FOX – 6:00 p.m. PT

PREVIEW:

Friday Night Lights return to the Coliseum as No. 20 USC (6–2, 4–1 Big Ten) hosts Northwestern (5–3, 3–2) in a nationally televised Big Ten showdown. The Trojans come off a gritty 21–17 win at Nebraska and look to keep their conference title hopes alive as the regular season enters its final stretch.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava continues to solidify himself as one of the nation’s most efficient playmakers. Ranked No. 2 nationally in QBR (90.3) and leading the Big Ten in passing yards per game (289.4), Maiava showed both poise and toughness against Nebraska — accounting for 197 total yards and a key rushing touchdown to seal the win.

USC’s offense has been among the nation’s best, averaging over 505 yards per game, and the backfield has found a star in King Miller, who racked up 129 rushing yards on 18 carries (7.2 avg.) last week. The former walk-on has quickly become one of college football’s most inspiring stories, ranking among Power Four leaders in yards after contact and first downs gained.

Out wide, Makai Lemon continues his campaign for the Biletnikoff Award, leading the Big Ten in receiving and ranking fourth nationally in yards per game (97.0). His combination of elite route running and yards-after-catch ability has made him a nightmare matchup for defenses.

Defensively, USC is beginning to find its stride. Bishop Fitzgerald, a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist, leads the nation with five interceptions and has been crucial to the Trojans’ defensive turnaround. Linebacker Eric Gentry remains the emotional leader in the middle, while the defensive front — anchored by Anthony Lucas — held Nebraska to just 106 yards and three points in the second half last week.

The Wildcats are entering fresh off a bye week following a 28–21 loss at Nebraska. Quarterback Preston Stone has thrown for 1,372 yards and 10 touchdowns with only one interception, while WR Griffin Wilde leads the team in receiving with 570 yards and four scores.

Northwestern’s strength is its defense — ranked 13th nationally in scoring defense (16.8 PPG). Linebacker Robert Fitzgerald has been the catalyst with 69 tackles and a forced fumble, while the Wildcats’ front seven has combined for 9.5 sacks through eight games.

However, the challenge will be immense against a USC offense that averages nearly 40 points per game and has proven to be equally dangerous through the air and on the ground.

PREDICTION:

USC is starting to look like the team many expected coming into the season. Maiava’s leadership, Miller’s emergence, and Lemon’s explosiveness have the Trojans rolling again. Expect the Coliseum crowd to be loud under the lights as USC’s defense keeps its momentum and the offense takes control early.

JP’s Pick: USC 38, Northwestern 17