Northwestern vs USC Prediction 11/7/2025 Today’s College Football Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Oct 18, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) passes the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Wildcats Northwestern
Trojans USC
Team Records
5-3
6-2
Spread
+14 -108
-14 -112
Moneyline
+470
-650
Total
Over 51.5 (-115)
Under 51.5 (-105)
Where
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
When
Friday, November 7, 2025
Time
09:00 PM EST
TV
FOX
The Northwestern Wildcats and the USC Trojans meet in week 11 college football action from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Friday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Northwestern Wildcats vs. USC Trojans prediction.
Northwestern Wildcats Recap
The Northwestern Wildcats come into this game looking to rebound from their 28-21 loss to Nebraska prior to last week’s bye week to sit at 5-3 this season. After this game, Northwestern will head home for a game against Michigan.
Wildcats Have Four-Game Win Streak Snapped
Preston Stone has thrown for 1,372 yards, 10 touchdowns and 9 interceptions on 58.3% passing while Caleb Komolafe has a team-high 608 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. Joseph Himon II also has 397 rushing yards while Griffin Wilde leads Northwestern’s receivers with 39 grabs for 570 yards and 4 touchdowns so far this season. On defense, Robert Fitzgerald leads Northwestern with 69 total tackles while Mac Uihlein has 58 total tackles and 4 interceptions. As a unit, Northwestern’s defense has combined for 12 sacks and 5 interceptions so far this season.
USC Trojans Recap
The USC Trojans come into this game looking to build on their 21-17 win over Nebraska to sit at 6-2 this season. After this game USC will take on the Iowa Hawkeyes at home.
Trojans Alternate Wins & Losses In 5 Straight
Jayden Maiava has thrown for 2,315 yards, 15 touchdowns and 5 interceptions on 65.3% passing while Husan Longstreet’s thrown for 103 yards and a TD on 86.7% passing. Waymond Jordan leads USC in rushing with 576 yards and 5 TDs while King Miller has 509 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns as well. Eli Sanders has 264 rushing yards and he and the aforementioned Longstreet each have a pair of rushing TDs as well. Makai Lemon leads the Trojans in receiving with 50 catches for 776 yards and 6 touchdowns while Ja’Kobi Lane has 446 receiving yards and 3 TDs and Lake McRee has 318 receiving yards as well as a touchdown. Three more USC receivers have 100+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Eric Gentry has a team-high 56 total tackles while also logging 3 sacks. Bishop Fitzgerald has a team-high 5 interceptions while Devan Thompkins has 3 sacks, Kameryn Crawford and Braylan Shelby each have a team-high 3.5 sacks. As a unit, USC has combined for 22 sacks and 9 interceptions so far this season.
Northwestern has lost each of its last 12 games against AP-ranked teams.
USC has won 17 of its last 18 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
USC has covered the spread in eight of its last nine games as a favorite in California.
Northwestern has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four road games.
USC has won the first quarter in four of its last five home games against conference opponents.
Northwestern has lost the first half in four of its last five road games against conference opponents.
Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win
Northwestern has won three of its last four November games as a road underdog.
USC has lost three of its last four home games in November.
The underdog has covered the spread in five of USC’s last six games.
The team ranked 20th in the AP Poll has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games.
Northwestern has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
Each of USC’s last five November games as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.
Each of Northwestern’s last four games against teams from California have gone UNDER the total points line.
USC Trojans Player Prop Facts
Heading into Week 11, Bishop Fitzgerald ranks T1st amongst FBS players for interceptions (5) this season.
Northwestern Wildcats Player Prop Facts
Heading into Week 11, Joseph Himon II has the most rushing attempts without a rushing touchdown this season (81).
Matchup/League Facts
USC ranks 2nd among FBS teams for yards per game this season (505.9).
USC ranks 2nd among FBS teams for red zone percentage against this season (60.0).
Northwestern ranks 6th among FBS teams for time of possession per game this season (33:23).
Northwestern ranks T13th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (16.8).
Northwestern Wildcats vs. USC Trojans Prediction
I’m on USC here. It’s a bit of a big number, but the Trojans for me are simply the better team and the more trustworthy offense in this matchup. Preston Stone has been a bit too turnover-prone for my liking and I still think that Preston Stone is gettable in this Northwestern offense. The Trojans more often than not this season have been able to rack up points and offense and I think USC gets it done here. Give me the Trojans.
