No. 16 USC Set for Wisconsin Matchup

No. 16 USC visits Wisconsin on Saturday at 6-1 after a bye, with injured starters having had extra recovery time and an Oct. 31 matchup with Ohio State looming. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava has thrown for 2,045 yards and 18 touchdowns, and the Trojans convert 51% of third downs; tight end Mark Bowman and defensive tackle Jide Abasiri are listed as questionable. Wisconsin is coming off a 17-7 loss to UCLA, where it contained the run but struggled offensively, managed 66 passing yards, committed costly penalties and allowed backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach to convert third downs through the air. USC is favored, although one advanced model gives Wisconsin a slight edge and projects a narrow home victory; analysts say USC’s uneven road form, Wisconsin’s physical defense and home-field advantage could make the game close.