We are one day away from kickoff in the Los Angeles Coliseum for the Michigan Wolverines against the USC Trojans.
It will be the first time the two programs have met on the West Coast since the 2006 Rose Bowl game. That was a rough day for the Michigan football program. Yet, this weekend, the 15th-ranked Wolverines should have a much better chance at getting a win, even though they are the underdog.
It's an important game for both teams. USC is 4-1 overall. The Trojans are 2-1 in the Big Ten. Michigan football is 4-1 overall and 2-0. The Wolverines have another chance for a solid road win, just like at Nebraska, while USC needs to beat Michigan football to kickstart a playoff run.
Joel Klatt said it will be the "most fascinating" game of the weekend. He also predicted the Wolverines to win.
Looking ahead to a huge game on Saturday night, here are five bold predictions for the Wolverines and Trjoans, plus a prediction against the spread.
Justice Haynes will go for 100 again
No Michigan football running back has ever started his career as well as Haynes, who has five 100-yard games to start his U-M career, becoming the first Wolverines back to ever do that.
USC is better defensively than last season. But it's hard to know how much. The Trojans haven't been tested by a legit offense and for all its warts, the Wolverines average 438 yards per game and 32 points.
A big reason for the offensive success has been Haynes, who is averaging 7.7 yards per attempt. His 654 rushing yards lead the Big Ten and he's had one run of at least 20 yards in all five games.
That will hold true on Saturday. Haynes will rush for over 100 yards, notch at least one explosive run and take advantage of a USC defense that allowed Illinois to rush for 171 yards two weeks ago.
Bryce Underwood will throw and run for a touchdown
Underwood has been progressing nicely as a true freshman quarterback. He doesn't have gaudy numbers but would have gone over 300 yards last week without three key drops, all which would have gone for first downs.
That being said, Underwood has five total touchdowns this season compared to just two turnovers. Underwood has one interception and one fumble.
He's been elite at taking care of the ball, something that's not talked about enough. If he's doing that already as a freshman, that bodes well for the next two seasons (he won't have a senior season in Ann Arbor).
Underwood will need to use his arm and his legs for the Wolverines to beat USC. That was missing against Oklahoma. This defense and this defensive front aren't on the same level as OU's. Underwood will have around 250 yards of total offense (200 passing, 50 rushing), and he'll have at least one touchdown run and one touchdown pass.
The under will hit
Michigan's defense is good. But it has been giving up some stuff, especially in the passing game this season. My hope is that Rod Moore is on the field more on Saturday.
If he plays every snap, if he's able to, that would help this defense. The Wolverines could also tighten up some of the defensive rotations. 27 players got snaps against Wisconsin. Some of that was on the last defensive drive but a lot of it wasn't.
Michigan has been doing this for years. It's not new. But there are a few players, who need to stay on the field more such as Rod, Jaishawn Barham, and Derrick Moore.
Regardless, this USC offense is legit. The Trojans are scoring 48 points per game. Jayden Maiava leads the Big Ten in passing yards (1,587). Makai Lemon leads the conference in receptions (35) and receiving yards (589).
it's not crazy to say that Lemon is the best wide receiver in college football. Michigan did have success with Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith last season. They also gave up 24 points to a mediocre USC team at the Big House.
Lincoln Riley's teams can't play defense. They are also hard to stop. Part of the strategy for Michigan will be run the ball, grind the clock and try to keep the ball away.
That will work to an extent, and the red zone defense will be a factor. It feels like USC needs to score 30 points to win this game. If Michigan can run the ball, get one or two red-zone stops, it will be difficult to do.
In terms of the over/under, the two teams will fall short of the 56.5 points.
USC will run for under 100 yards
The USC pass offense is loaded with weapons. Ja'Kobi Lane has 13 receptions in four games this season for 278 yards. He leads the Big Ten in yards per catch (21.3).
However, one of the underrated aspects of the USC offense is the running game. Michigan runs for 237 yards per game. USC isn't far behind with 227. Against Purdue, Michigan State, and Illinois, the Trojans rushed for 198 yards per game.
This is a better running game than some Michigan football fans might realize. That's why stopping the run is where the game will be decided. If Michigan can make the Trojans one-dimensional, it will be easier to apply pressure on Maiava and that's how you beat USC.
Illinois is the only team to out-rush the Trojans this season, 171-126. That played a factor in the outcome. Michigan needs to do something similar. The Wolverines are allowing just 2.6 yards per rushing attempt and 77 yards total to opponents.
Wisconsin had some success running the ball. However, the front seven will get those issues fixed and the Wolverines will hold USC, and dynamic running back Jordan Waymond, who is averaging 107 yards per game, below 100 yards rushing.
Rod Moore will make multiple impact plays
It's amazing what Rod Moore was able to do in just 18 plays last week. He made two-drive ending plays and also saved what could have been a touchdown.
It's clear the impact Moore still has on the secondary. Whether it's with his play or directing traffic in the secondary. He should see the field more on Saturday, and if he does, he'll make an impact similar to the Wisconsin game.
Maybe Moore will come up with another interception or a key pass breakup. He's a wizard at eliminating exploive plays and that will prove to be a huge asset against USC.
Michigan vs. USC prediction
I've gone back and forth on this prediction all week. Michigan is the better team in the trenches and that will prove to be the difference. Nebraska had a dynamic quarterback but couldn't overcome the gap up front.
Michigan will have more success on the ground. It will shorten the game. The Wolverines will also hold the Trojans to some frustrating field goals in the red zone. It's going to be close, and the lead will change hands a few times; however, Michigan survives with a win.
Michigan 27, USC 23