On Saturday, the Illinois Fighting Illini will host the USC Trojans in an improbable matchup with College Football Playoff implications. USC is finally taking shape under head coach Lincoln Riley after years of futility. In like manner, head coach Bret Bielema has transformed the Fighting Illini into a serious Betting on College Football contender. Not that long ago, the thought of Illinois hosting USC in a FOX Big Noon kickoff for high stakes would have been unfathomable. Yet that is what will be taking place on Saturday. Gamblers have taken a strong interest in this B1G showdown.
USC Trojans at Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, September 27, 2025, noon ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Gies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL |
| TV Coverage: | FOX |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC | -7 ( -115 ) | 59½ ( -110 ) | -270 |  |
| Illinois | +7 ( -105 ) | 59½ ( -110 ) | +222 | |
| ||||
USC Trojans Team Overview
Last game, the USC Trojans won 45-31 against the Michigan State Spartans as 19-point home favorites. The game went over the Offshore bookmaker total of 55.5. As a result, USC is 4-0 straight up, 2-2 against the spread, and 3-1 over the total.
Overall, USC has national metrics of 3rd for total offense and 5th for points scored. USC ranks 51st for total defense, 54th for points allowed, and 10th for takeaways.
Jayden Maiava passed for three touchdowns and rushed for two more scores as No. 25 Southern California answered a second-half Michigan State. Correlate that USC built a two-touchdown lead by intermission.
Maiava put an exclamation point on his sensational night with a goal-line touchdown carry. Overall, he finished 20-of-26 passing for 234 yards — 127 went to Lemon on eight receptions — and rushed for 31 yards on four carries. Maiava also helped USC convert 8-of-12 third-down attempts.
Illinois Fighting Illini Team Overview
Although Illinois has made profound progress under Bielema, it lost a lot of credibility in a blowout loss at Indiana.
Last game, Illinois lost 63-10 to the Indiana Hoosiers as 7-point road dogs. The game went over the total of 51. Now, the Fighting Illini is 3-1 straight up, 3-1 against the spread, and 2-2 over the total.
Namely, Fernando Mendoza threw for five touchdowns and No. 19 Indiana took ninth-ranked Illinois behind the woodshed. Indiana’s defense stifled the Fighting Illini, who entered the game averaging 45 points per game. Illinois managed only 161 total yards and nine first downs, gaining two yards on the ground in 20 attempts. In sum, Quarterback Luke Altmyer hit 14 of 22 throws for 146 yards and a score, but was sacked seven times.
USC at Illinois Betting Trends
USC has been a big money loser on the road. To show, the Trojans covered the spread in only six of their most recent 19 away matchups. Only one of their last seven road tilts went over the total.
By contrast, Illinois has been a good betting value at home. The Fighting Illini lost only two of their previous nine home games against the spread. Also, seven of those nine home games went under the total.
USC at Illinois SBG Free Picks
In this situation, Illinois will be a strong Betting on College Football value. The Fighting Illini are a quality home team facing a megabrand that they are even with. Illinois will have a huge home crowd backing them in a calendar game.