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28m ago

No. 21 USC Visits No. 23 Illinois for Big Ten ‘Prove-It’ Road Test on FOX

USC looks to validate its start behind turnover-free Jayden Maiava, with Illinois chasing a rebound after a 63-10 loss.

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USC defensive end Jahkeem Stewart (4) celebrates with teammates after tackling Michigan State running back Makhi Frazier (not pictured) for a loss in the first half Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Overview

  • Kickoff is noon ET (9 a.m. PT) at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign with national coverage on FOX; sportsbooks list USC by roughly a touchdown.
  • Illinois will be without first-team All–Big Ten defensive back Xavier Scott following season-ending surgery, while USC corner Prophet Brown is out for multiple weeks and receiver Ja’Kobi Lane is questionable.
  • Quarterback Jayden Maiava leads USC’s surge with 1,223 passing yards, nine touchdowns and zero interceptions through four games, supported by a productive run game led by Waymond Jordan.
  • Illinois enters off a 63-10 defeat at Indiana that exposed protection issues, including seven sacks on Luke Altmyer, though the Illini have been strong at home since last season.
  • Analysts, including Matt Leinart, label this a prove-it spot for USC before Michigan and Notre Dame loom; it is the teams’ first meeting in 17 years, with USC holding an 11-2 series lead.