USC Faces Illinois in Big Ten Clash

Undefeated No. 21 USC (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten) travels to Champaign on Saturday to face No. 23 Illinois (3-1) in a key Big Ten matchup, with Lincoln Riley’s offense rated No. 3 in opponent‑adjusted FEI and favored against Illinois’ No. 58 FEI defense. Illinois, reeling from a 63-10 loss at Indiana, treats the game as a must-win to salvage its season and restore confidence. An EA Sports season simulation recently projected Illinois to pull off a close upset over USC in a rematch. Indiana’s blowout of Illinois has highlighted coach Curt Cignetti’s rapid impact and the hot start of QB Fernando Mendoza. In other college sports notes, Michigan State men’s soccer upset No. 3 Indiana 1-0 behind freshman Peter Soudan and goalkeeper Zac Kelly, and former Wisconsin transfer Riley Nowakowski is emerging as a playmaker for Indiana football.