US LBM Coaches Poll: Indiana Hoosiers climb after win over Illinois
USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg breaks down the latest US LBM Coaches Poll and discusses the Indiana Hoosiers’ climb up the rankings.
Sports Pulse
The USC Trojans and Illinois Fighting Illini play on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, in a game on the college football Week 5 schedule.
Which team will win the college football Week 5 game?
Check out these college football Week 5 picks and college football Week 5 predictions for the Big Ten game, which can be seen at 9 a.m. MST on FOX (stream with FUBO).
USC is a 6.5-point favorite over Illinois in college football Week 5 odds for the game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
The Trojans are -250 on the moneyline, while the Fighting Illini are +200. The over/under (point total) for the game is set at 59.5 points.
College football Week 5 picks: Oregon at Penn State | Alabama at Georgia | LSU at Ole Miss | Tennessee at Mississippi State | USC at Illinois | Auburn at Texas A&M | Florida State at Virginia | Ohio State at Washington | Notre Dame at Arkansas | Indiana at Iowa
Watch USC at Illinois on FUBO (free trial)
Bookies.com: Bet USC to cover vs Illinois
Bill Speros writes: “The Trojans gave the Big Ten West Coast contingent an early-season boost. Their conference schedule continues with a trip to Illinois after win and push (-14) against Michigan State. The Illini suffered a beating for the ages in Bloomington Saturday, losing 63-9 to the host Hoosiers. USC QB Jayden Maiava and RB Waymond Jordon have a day in Champaign.”
Big 12 football Week 5 picks: TCU at Arizona State | Arizona at Iowa State | Houston at Oregon State | UCF at Kansas State | Cincinnati at Kansas | Baylor at Oklahoma State | Utah at West Virginia | BYU at Colorado | The Republic’s score predictions
Dimers.com: USC 32, Illinois 26
It writes: “After extensive simulations, our model gives Southern California a win probability of 65%, while Illinois has a win probability of 35%.”
ESPN: USC has a 72.9% chance to defeat Illinois on Saturday
The site gives the Fighting Illini a 27.1% shot at winning the college football Week 5 game over the Trojans on Sept. 27.
The site’s formula predicts that the Trojans will beat the Fighting Illini in the Big Ten Conference football game this week.
Bill Bender writes: “How does Illinois bounce back after a 63-10 loss to Indiana? The Trojans are in their second two-time zone travel game – but the running back tag team of Waymond Jordan (443 yards, 3 TDs) and Eli Sanders (250 yards, 2 TDs) have been a dominant tag-team rushing attack, and that should travel. Yes, the early start concerns us, too.”
David Anicetti writes: “USC brings more speed outside and a stronger running game. Illinois has playmakers, but pass protection versus USC’s rush will be a tough task. With USC QB Maiava avoiding mistakes and the Trojans facing short second and third downs, the advantage goes to USC.”
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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