Northwestern vs. USC, Picks and Prediction, Friday, November 7, 2025
Northwestern (5-3, 3-2 B10) travels to Southern California to take on the No. 19 Trojans of USC (6-2, 4-1 B10) in a Big 10 matchup on Friday night at 9pmET. This is the first meeting between these teams since the 1996 Rose Bowl. Can the Wildcats become bowl-eligible in this Northwestern vs. USC prediction? Northwestern is coming off a bye after losing to Nebraska 28-21 on Oct. 25. USC is playing at home for the first time in nearly a month and is coming off a 21-17 win over Nebraska last Saturday. Don't get sacked this season. Try our NCAAF predictions!
Winning Streak is snapped before the bye
Northwestern has had some tough times in recent years, so it would be a nice accomplishment to win six games after losing eight in 2024. The Wildcats had won four straight games over UCLA, ULM, Penn State, and Purdue before falling at Nebraska before the bye. In their loss to the Cornhuskers, Northwestern trailed 21-13 before a 56-yard TD run from Caleb Komolafe and a two-point conversion tied the game at 21-all. The Wildcats had a chance to take the lead after picking off Dylan Raiola, but a Preston Stone interception at the Nebraska 34-yard line halted their momentum.
Stone completed 15 of 29 for 159 yards with no TDs and two picks. Komolafe finished with 125 yards rushing and two scores. The Wildcats held the Huskers to 296 total yards and forced two turnovers.
On the season, Stone is completing 58.3% of his passes for 1,372 yards with 10 TDs and nine picks. Komolafe leads all rushers with 608 yards (4.9ypc) and seven TDs.
Defensively, Northwestern ranks 13th in the nation in points allowed per game at 16.8. On defense, they rank 13th in passing yardage allowed per game at 165.1. On offense, they are not very explosive in the passing game. They rank 119th in passing yards per game (172.4) and 35th in rushing yards per game (187.9).
The bye week should help heal some injuries, though they are banged up at wide receiver.
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USC is a dangerous team
The Trojans have just two losses this season: to Notre Dame on Oct. 18 (34-24) and at Illinois on Sept. 27 (34-32). They were able to get a bye after their loss to Notre Dame and then edged Nebraska 21-17 last week. That was the game where Raiola (10-15 91 yds) suffered a broken fibula midway through the third quarter and will be lost for the season for the Huskers. USC had to get things done on the ground, because QB Jayden Maiava struggled, completing just 9 of 23 for 135 yards with no TDs and a pick. Maiava rushed for 62 yards and a score, while King Miller led the way with 129 yards rushing and a TD.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rob Vincilleti | +450.00 |
| 2 |  Sean Higgs | +327.00 |
| 3 |  David Delano | +182.00 |
| 4 |  Stephen Nover | +100.00 |
| 5 |  Terry Edelmann | +100.00 |
When it comes to running the football, USC is dominant. They average 5.8 yards per carry to rank ninth in the nation, but they will be tested in this game against a very strong front seven. Miller has been the key lately at running back, as he also rushed for 159 yards in their win over Michigan. He's had to carry the load with Waymond Jordan (576 yards) and Eli Sanders (264 yards) injured.
Maiava is completing 65.3% of his passes for 2,315 yards with 15 TDs and five INTs. Miller adds 509 yards to rank second on the team, adding four TDs and a 7.8 yards per carry average. Makai Lemon leads all receivers with 50 catches for 776 yards and six TDs.
USC is allowing 212 passing yards per game and 143.1 rushing yards. On offense, they rank 12th in passing yards per game (302.3) and 9th in points per game.
Northwestern vs. USC prediction
Spread Pick for Northwestern vs. USC
- Northwestern +14.5 (4 units)
I really like this Northwestern defense, and they do have a strong enough running game. This is a team with a lot of moxie that started the season off on a very slow note in a loss to Tulane and then won five of six before the Nebraska loss. They've also covered five of six games (last week was a push). USC has more talent, but they barely beat Nebraska, whose star quarterback was injured in the third quarter last week. Northwestern is going for a bowl bid and with them coming off a bye, they should be fresh with an opportunity to steal this game.
- Under 51.5 (4 units)
USC is an explosive team and Northwestern averages just 283.3 yards per game. The Wildcats need to shorten this game and own time of possession. They allow just 304.1 yards per game overall and have an outstanding pass defense. Maiava wasn't very good last week and the Wildcats have an extra week to prepare for him. Northwestern has gone under in five of their last seven games. USC has gone under in three straight games.
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