College football fans are in for a huge Big Ten showdown this weekend as the No. 25 USC Trojans travel to Champaign to face the No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini. Both teams enter Week 5 with plenty on the line—USC looking to stay unbeaten, and Illinois eager to rebound after a tough conference loss.
Game Information
- Matchup: No. 25 USC Trojans vs. No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini
- Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 12:00 PM ET
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL
- TV Channel: FOX
- Streaming: FOX Sports app, Fubo (free trial available), Sling TV, YouTube TV, and other live TV providers
Fans who prefer streaming can tune in via FOX Sports App or subscribe to services like Fubo, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV, all of which carry FOX nationally.
Team Form and Last Five Games
USC Trojans (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten)
The Trojans have come out hot in their first Big Ten season, with convincing wins across the board.
- 9/20: W 45-31 vs. Michigan State
- 9/13: W 33-17 at Purdue
- 9/6: W 59-20 vs. Georgia Southern
- 8/30: W 73-13 vs. Missouri State
- 12/27/24: W 35-31 vs. Texas A&M
Quarterback Maiava has been stellar, throwing for 234 yards and three touchdowns against Michigan State while adding two rushing scores. Running back Jordan piled up 157 yards on 18 carries, while wideout Lemon was electric with 127 yards and a touchdown on eight catches.
Illinois Fighting Illini (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten)
Illinois started strong but stumbled in Week 4 with a heavy defeat in Bloomington.
- 9/20: L 63-10 at Indiana
- 9/13: W 38-0 vs. Western Michigan
- 9/6: W 45-19 at Duke
- 8/29: W 52-3 vs. Western Illinois
- 12/31/24: W 21-17 vs. South Carolina
Quarterback Luke Altmyer completed 14 of 22 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown against Indiana. Receiver Collin Dixon was a bright spot, hauling in four catches for 86 yards and a touchdown, but the ground game struggled to gain traction.
Betting Odds (via ESPN BET)
- Spread: USC -6.5 (-115) | Illinois +6.5 (-105)
- Total (O/U): 59.5 points
- Opening Line: USC -1.5
The line movement shows growing confidence in the Trojans, who opened as slight favorites but are now nearly a touchdown favorite on the road.
Keys to the Game
- USC’s offense vs. Illinois’ defense: The Trojans have scored 45+ points in three straight games. Illinois must limit explosive plays and force Maiava into tough third downs.
- Illinois bounce-back factor: After a blowout loss at Indiana, the Illini need a fast start at home to prove they remain a Top-10 contender.
- Skill players on display: USC’s Lemon and Jordan bring game-breaking ability, while Illinois looks to Dixon and Feagin to generate offense.
Prediction
With USC’s offensive firepower and Illinois coming off a rough defensive showing, the Trojans enter as favorites for a reason. Expect Illinois to be more competitive at home, but USC’s depth and explosiveness may prove too much.
Projected Score: USC 38, Illinois 27