Overview

• Kickoff is noon ET on FOX from Memorial Stadium in Champaign in the teams’ first meeting since 2007.
• Sportsbooks list USC at -6.5 with the total near 60–60.5, and a SportsLine model projects the over.
• USC is 4-0 behind Jayden Maiava’s 1,223 yards with nine touchdowns and no interceptions; Illinois is 3-1 with Luke Altmyer at 855 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions.
• Illinois loses first-team All–Big Ten cornerback Xavier Scott for the season, while USC corner Prophet Brown is out for weeks and receiver Ja’Kobi Lane’s status remains uncertain.
• Illinois seeks a response to a 63-10 loss at Indiana as USC, 2-4 on the road since last season, enters a tougher stretch that includes Michigan and Notre Dame.