Sep 194 min read

No. 18 Michigan Looks to Upset Undefeated No. 11 USC

The No. 11 USC Trojans (2-0) head to the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines (2-1) for a clash on Sept. 21 at 3:30 p.m. EST at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Michigan hosts USC in their 11th meeting all-time dating back to 1947. Both squads are looking to win the Big Ten Conference this season as they start up conference play on Sept. 21. The two historic programs are a couple of the most successful programs in college football. This is a pivotal Week 4 matchup between ranked teams.

USC tries to stay undefeated this season after beating LSU in its season opener and rolling Utah State in its second game. Defending national champion Michigan lost to the current No. 1 Texas Longhorns at home in Week 2. Then, the Wolverines snuck by Arkansas State for its third win.

What’s at Stake?

For both teams, the College Football Playoff is the goal, which is a lot easier with the 12-team playoff. A loss for either squad will make making the playoff more difficult.

USC has more leeway than Michigan because the Trojans don’t have a loss yet his season. However, USC does have three ranked games scheduled against No. 10 Penn State, No. 17 Notre Dame and No. 22 Nebraska, so a win will provide more give in those games.

Michigan, on the other hand, doesn’t have much give. The Wolverines already lost to Texas, which is a strike on the probable three losses and you’re out system the CFP Committee will use. The Wolverines have three ranked games of their own still ahead in No. 3 Ohio State, No. 9 Oregon and No. 24 Illinois, so another loss to USC won’t be ideal.

A win, no matter the team, will provide a lot of momentum heading into a fully loaded Big Ten schedule.

Key Players: Michigan

Will Johnson, Cornerback

USC has some weapons on the outside, so future possible NFL Draft first-round pick Will Johnson will have to be on his A-game. Johnson had a slow start in the opener, but he turned that around with a pick-6 later in the game.

After his interception, Johnson has been quiet but still has 2 pass breakups in three games. He’s going to need to step up and show his first-round talent against USC’s explosive offense.

Alex Orji, Quarterback

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore announced that he was benching Davis Warren for Alex Orji on Sept. 16.

Warren played the first three games. Now, Moore is starting Orji against USC—a tough assignment for Orji. He’s seen action in three games and is 3-for-6 passing with 1 touchdown. But he's getting set to start for a full game against a much-improved Trojans' defense.

This is an important start for Orji to help Michigan win and keep him as the starting quarterback.

Key Players: USC

Zachariah Branch, Wide Receiver

USC has a deep receiver room, but there isn’t a more explosive player on the roster than Zachariah Branch. The sophomore has 8 catches for 75 yards in 2 games, which isn’t the best on the team, but he doesn’t just help the squad on offense.

Branch is a lethal kick and punt returner who can flip the field with his electric speed. It will be interesting to see how the quick sophomore matches up against Michigan’s defensive backs.

Eric Gentry, Linebacker

Senior Eric Gentry is USC’s defensive monster who is drawn to the ball. Last year, Gentry had a peg in every stat category. He had 5 pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.

This year, Gentry already leads the team with 14 tackles in 2 games and has a sack. He’ll be a crucial part of the defense that can disrupt Orji.

Michigan | USC — © Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Game Trends

Michigan and USC have met 10 times before Sept. 21 and, so far, the Trojans own the series 6-4. Recently, the series has been all USC. The Trojans have won 6 out of the last 7 meetings, but none of the meetings have been at "The Big House" in Ann Arbor.

This one is going to be different. It is the first game with USC in the Big Ten. Luckily for the Trojans, the game is at 3:30 p.m. EST and not at noon, which is usually the case for FOX's "Big Noon Kickoff" games. So, no 9 a.m. local time excuses for USC. The Trojans also have the benefit of exiting a bye, so they’ve had extra time to prepare. Michigan is still trying to figure out how it almost lost to Arkansas State at home. A start for the Wolverines was making a quarterback change.

To Michigan’s benefit, this is the Wolverines' fourth straight home game this season. It will have the backing of all the fans in college football's biggest stadium.

With so much history between the two programs, their first meeting as both members of the Big Ten will be just another page in the book.