Two programs looking to break through in the Big Ten collide on Saturday when the No. 23-ranked USC Trojans (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) inside Memorial Stadium.
The Trojans started the season with four straight wins before hitting the hardest part of their schedule. While USC trounced a ranked Michigan squad, the West Coast team could not win either road contest against Illinois or Notre Dame.
Nebraska’s schedule has been somewhat easier. While the Cornhuskers have wins over a better-than-you-think Cincinnati squad, Nebraska has fallen to Michigan and Minnesota en route to its 6-2 start.
Can the Cornhuskers complete their revival with a win over the Trojans? We’ll cover that and provide bettors with our top three player props for this Big Ten matchup.
The Trojans entered this season with a dark horse Heisman candidate under center in Jayden Maiava. The junior signal-caller isn’t on that level yet, but the 6-foot-4 passer has completed 68 percent of his throws for 2,180 yards, 15 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Saturday’s matchup will be a tough one for Maiava and his teammates. Although he’s finished above the 276-yard mark in all but two outings thus far, Nebraska’s stingy defense hasn’t allowed an opponent to reach 250 passing yards in 2025. Take the Huskers’ defensive unit to keep Maiava in check, preventing him from covering his passing prop bet total.
News flash: Nebraska is going to run the football with Emmett Johnson. The junior running back is eighth in the country with 146 carries this season. He’s amassed the sixth-best total in FBS, recording 837 yards and nine touchdowns for the Huskers.
That poses a problem for USC. The Trojans held their own against Michigan, keeping the Wolverines to 109 total rushing yards. The following week, Notre Dame ripped through their defensive unit for 306 total yards. Bettors should be salivating as Johnson’s prop total after that performance, and savvy individuals will take the running back to cover his mark on Saturday.
Sophomore wide receiver Jacory Barney can be a difference maker for the Huskers. The receiver has caught 30 passes this season for 378 yards and three touchdowns, but he has amassed nearly 40 percent of that total with just three catches this season.
Barney’s speed will be a problem for the Trojans’ aggressive defense. USC allowed three straight Big Ten opponents to record at least one reception for more than 60 yards before playing Notre Dame last week. Nebraska will find a way to get its speedster in space, catching at least one deep pass to cover his receiving prop bet total.
There’s no denying what Nebraska coach Matt Rhule has accomplished this season. In his third year, Rhule has Nebraska bowl-bound with aspirations of contending for the college football playoffs. That’s why the Huskers extended their coach’s contract this week, ensuring he will remain despite other programs making overtures for his services.
Can he live up to his contract extension? USC is a great opportunity to prove the Cornhuskers are built for success. USC is currently a 5.5-point favorite heading into this game, a spread that is terrifying for Saturday because these teams are evenly matched.
The better bet for Saturday is the total points. Oddsmakers believe these two programs will put up a lot of points against each other. Nebraska’s offense is hit or miss, but its defense has been strong this season. Take the under for the combined total points in this Big Ten matchup.