Minnesota gave Michigan a great run in the 27-24 loss in Ann Arbor, but the comeback came up short - helped by an onside kick issue - and now the team needs something big to happen in a hurry.
Three of the next four games are on the road - one LA team this week, the other next week with a date against UCLA - with Penn State still to deal with. Lose, and winning four of the last six to get bowl eligible will be tough.
USC was shaky for a half against Wisconsin, and then the defense clamped down in a dominant finishing kick for a 38-21 win. Next week Penn State comes to town, but first the Trojans have to get out of Minneapolis without biffing.
USC is 6-1-1 all-time in the series with the first game a 17-7 USC win in 1953 and the last meeting a 19-17 Trojan victory to open the 2011 campaign.
Sep 28, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Davis Warren (16) passes in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Michigan Stadium.
© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
USC vs Minnesota Preview
USC vs Minnesota How to Watch
Date: Saturday, October 6, 2024
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET
Venue: Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
How to Watch: Big Ten Network
Minnesota (2-3), USC (3-1)
- Week 6 Schedule, Predictions
- 5 Biggest College Football Surprises
- 5 Biggest Disappointments
- Bowl Projections | CFN 1-134 Rankings
- College Football Playoff Projections: Week 6
Predicting the Rest of the Season
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | SEC
Why USC Will Win
The Minnesota running game has stalled.
When the program was thumping under PJ Fleck, the offense controlled the clock and the tempo, the ground game rumbled, and the team won on power.
The Gopher running game averages just 101 yards per game and relies way too much on the midrange passing attack.
USC is the team that dominates the clock, keeping the ball for 32:41 per game. That comes from being solid on third downs on both sides of the ball - the defense leads the Big Ten in third down stops. Minnesota has to flip that, or it’s in trouble.
Why Minnesota Will Win
USC doesn’t bring the pass rush.
Overall the defense has been much, much better, but it’s not coming up with a slew of tackles for loss and the sacks aren’t there.
Minnesota QB Max Brosmer has been the solid midrange passer the program was hoping for after getting him from New Hampshire. He’s hitting 66% of his passes and is great when he gets into a groove - and gets time to work.
No, Minnesota hasn’t been able to come up with any sort of a stop against the Iowa running game, but it’s No. 1 in the nation in pass defense, and …
USC vs Minnesota: Who Will Win
Yeah, that Minnesota top-ranked pass defense thing is about to go bye-bye.
Michigan can’t throw, Iowa doesn’t/can’t throw, and North Carolina didn’t really do much after QB Max Johnson got hurt.
Miller Moss and the USC passing game will be sharp from the start. Minnesota’s lack of running game and balance will be costly in the second half.
USC vs Minnesota Prediction, Betting Lines
USC 30, Minnesota 21
Line: USC -8.5, o/u: 51.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
USC vs Minnesota Must See Rating: 3.5
Week 6 CFN Expert Picks
Texas St at Troy | Sam Houston at UTEP
Houston at TCU | Michigan St at Oregon
Syracuse at UNLV | UCLA at Penn State
Missouri at Texas A&M | SMU at Louisville
Iowa at Ohio State | Auburn at Georgia
Ole Miss at So Carolina | Rutgers at Neb
Clemson at Florida St | Tenn at Arkansas
Michigan at Washington | Miami at Cal
Texas Tech at Arizona
