Southern California running back Woody Marks (4) celebrates after scoring the winning touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

No. 11 USC favored by almost a TD in Big Ten football debut against No. 18 Michigan at the Big House

No. 11 Southern California (2-0) at No. 18 Michigan (2-1), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

BetMGM College Football Odds: USC by 5 1/2.

Series record: USC leads 6-4

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

The Trojans are making their Big Ten debut, and would love to get off to a good start by beating the defending national and Big Ten champions in the Big House. The Wolverines have won a school-record 25 straight Big Ten games, including three for conference championships, and have been ranked for 50 straight weeks since early in the 2021 season.

Michigan running back Kalel Mullings (20) is brought down by Arkansas State safety Dontay Joyner (6) and Marvin Ham (5) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

KEY MATCHUP

Michigan’s passing game against USC’s defense. Alex Orji, who has attempted seven passes in 12 games over three years, will make his first start. The Trojans will likely dare him to throw and if he can’t, it will be tough for the Wolverines to win.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

USC: DT Bear Alexander. The Georgia transfer will be a key player for a defense that will want to shut down Michigan’s running game to force Orji to pass.

MICHIGAN: Orji. He was J.J. McCarthy’s primary backup last season and after being beat out by Davis, the mobile and powerful QB is getting his chance.

FACTS & FIGURES

The traditional college football powers are meeting in the regular season for the first time since 1958, when they played in Ann Arbor. … The last seven matchups, from 1969 to 2006, were at the Rose Bowl and USC lost only one of those games. … USC, which had a bye last week, opened this season with a 27-20 win over then-No. 13 LSU and routed Utah State 48-0 for its first shutout since 2011. … Michigan has two lackluster wins, over Fresno State and Arkansas State, and a 19-point loss to then-No. 3 Texas at home. … USC RB Woody Marks had 103 yards rushing and a TD, all in the first half, against Utah State. … The Wolverines ran for 301 yards last week led by Kalel Mullings’ career-high 153 yards rushing and two TDs on 15 carries.

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