USC vs Illinois Prediction 9/27/2025 Today’s College Football Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Sep 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
USC (4-0) vs Illinois (3-1)
September 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Illinois +6.5 — Over/Under: +60.5
The USC Trojans and the Illinois Fighting Illini meet in week 5 college football action from Huskie Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a USC Trojans vs. Illinois Fighting Illini prediction.
USC Trojans Recap
The USC Trojans come into this game looking to add on to their 45-31 win over Michigan State last time out to sit at 4-0 this season. After this game, USC will head home for a game against Michigan.
Trojans Looking To Remain Unbeaten
Jayden Maiava has thrown for 1,223 yards and 9 touchdowns on 70.8% passing while Husan Longstreet’s thrown for 103 yards and a TD on 86.7% passing. Waymond Jordan leads USC in rushing with 443 yards and 3 TDs while King Miller has 152 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns as well. Eli Sanders has 250 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 24 catches for 438 yards and 3 touchdowns while Ja’Kobi Lane has 239 receiving yards and Lake McRee has 189 receiving yards as well as a touchdown this season. On defense, Eric Gentry has a team-high 27 solo tackles while also logging 3 sacks. Bishop Fitzgerald has a team-high 3 interceptions while Kameryn Crawford has 2.5 sacks and Braylan Shelby has a team-high 3.5 sacks.
Illinois Fighting Illini Recap
The Illinois Fighting Illini come into this game looking to rebound from a 63-10 loss at the hands of Indiana last time out to sit at 3-1 this season. After this game, Illinois will head on the road for a matchup against Purdue.
Fighting Illini Looking To Bounce Back From First Loss
Luke Altmyer has thrown for 855 yards and 9 touchdowns on 70% passing while Kaden Feagin’s rushed for 240 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the Illini on the ground. Ca’Lil Valentine and Aidan Laughery each have 100+ rushing yards and 2 touchdowns apiece as well on the ground this season. Hank Beatty leads the Illini in receiving with 21 grabs for 302 yards and a touchdown while Collin Dixon has 10 catches for 151 receiving yards and 2 TDs and Hudson Clement also has 102 receiving yards. Justin Bowick also has 3 receiving TDs as well this season. On defense, Matthew Bailey has a team-high 22 total tackles while Gabe Jacas leads Illinois with 3.5 sacks this season. Illinois’ defense has combined for 12 sacks and an interception so far this season.
USC Trojans vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction
I’m on USC here. I just don’t trust Illinois. I get it, the loss to Indiana came on the road and that was an Indiana team that had a point to prove in that game. However I also have my doubts about Illinois as a whole and I don’t trust them to go score for score here with a USC team that has one of the most explosive offenses in the country and has been consistently solid through their first handful of games so far this season. So far USC has passed their tests and Illinois needs to show me something here before I give tehm the benefit of the doubt against a team on or above their level. Give me USC here.
