First Look: Illinois Football Faces USC Trojans in Week 5 Showdown

It’s gut-check time for the Illini. There's no other way to spin it. After getting thoroughly outplayed in every phase of the game in Bloomington on Saturday, Illinois finds itself at a crossroads. The Hoosiers exposed flaws on both sides of the ball, and head coach Bret Bielema’s team suddenly faces a critical moment in its season. The margin for error is gone, and the next test could be just as tough.

Homecoming Week, Same Mission: 1-0 pic.twitter.com/p8FDBuaewL
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) September 22, 2025

That’s because the USC Trojans are rolling into Champaign for a nationally televised Fox "Big Noon Kickoff" show, bringing with them an electric offense and the No. 21 ranking in the AP poll. For Bielema and his staff, it’s the type of matchup that could determine how the rest of 2025 unfolds.

USC at a glance

The Trojans arrive in Champaign riding high at 4-0 and eager to prove they belong back on college football’s mountaintop. Head coach Lincoln Riley, now in his fourth season in Southern California after his successful Oklahoma run, is still searching for the breakthrough that establishes USC as a perennial power in the Big Ten.

So far, USC has taken care of business with relative ease. The Trojans opened with comfortable wins over Missouri State and Georgia State before navigating their first Big Ten road trip at Purdue, a game in which time-zone travel may have slowed them early but never truly threatened the outcome. Last weekend, the Trojans rolled past Michigan State, setting the stage for their first ranked road test of the season. Now they see a golden opportunity: a chance to strike a wounded Illinois squad.

As of today, ESPN’s FPI has USC at #7:

Winning 10 games
15.5% chance winning the conference.
55.7% chance at making the playoffs.
12.4% chance making the Natty
5.8% chance winning it all ✌️

Looks like Indiana and Texas entered in the chat. pic.twitter.com/Eiep1T0Ih1
— Trojan Football ✌️ ᶠᵃⁿ (@TrojanFBx) September 21, 2025

The Trojans on the field

Like most Riley-led teams, USC thrives on explosive offense, and this year’s group is no exception. At the center of it all is junior quarterback Jayden Maiava, a transfer from UNLV who looks every bit the part of Riley’s next NFL-caliber signal caller. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Maiava has the tools to punish defenses – an elite arm that can push the ball downfield and just enough mobility to extend plays when things break down.

Maiava has plenty of options, but his top target has been junior Makai Lemon, who is emerging as one of the Big Ten’s toughest covers. Lemon’s speed and twitch make him a nightmare in space, and he has already proven he can turn short routes into chunk plays. Normally, he pairs with fellow junior Ja’Kobi Lane to form a dangerous one-two punch. At 6-foot-4, Lane brings size and physicality, creating mismatches on the outside. But he also is dealing with an injury and is unlikely to suit up next week, putting even more of the spotlight on Lemon and forcing other Trojans pass catchers to step into bigger roles.

A ZESTY 40-yard TD to Makai Lemon 🍋@uscfb pic.twitter.com/VeurqXpEPN
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 21, 2025

On the ground, the Trojans lean on junior Waymond Jordon, an explosive back who showcased his burst against Michigan State with 157 rushing yards at a staggering 8.7 yards per carry. He’ll look to carry that momentum into Champaign against an Illinois defense that was gashed repeatedly on the ground by Indiana.

Defensively, USC still carries the same questions that have plagued the program in recent years. The Trojans haven’t faced an elite opponent yet, but surrendering 31 points to Michigan State – a team that managed just 23 against Western Michigan – raised eyebrows. That said, the pass rush has been no joke. With 16 sacks already this season, USC’s defensive line has proven capable of overwhelming opposing fronts and creating havoc in the backfield.

Illinois vs. USC matchup

It’s homecoming in Champaign, and Illinois badly needs to shake off the sting of the beatdown it took in Bloomington. USC arrives with talent across the board and plenty of motivation to make noise in the Big Ten. Head coach Lincoln Riley, who has multiple College Football Playoff appearances on his resume from his Oklahoma days, knows how to prepare for big games. After watching the Indiana tape, the Trojans are no doubt eager to attack Illinois in the same ways.

Team	2025 Record	PPG	PPG allowed	3rd Down %	3rd down % allowed	Red Zone %	Red Zone % allowed	TOs	Opponent TOs
Illinois	3-1	37.8	21.3	38.6	40.8	100.0	81.8	1	6
USC	4-0	52.5	20.3	57.5	35.2	95.8	60.0	3	7

For the Illini to bounce back, it starts in the trenches. The offensive line, a group with five returning starters, has yet to play up to expectations. If that doesn’t change, USC’s disruptive defensive front could embarrass Illinois early. Quarterback Luke Altmyer must also speed up his reads and get the ball out on time – something scheme and play-calling can help him to get there.

Defensively, Illinois’ secondary needs reinforcements – and fast. Against Indiana, the Illini gave up touchdowns on seven straight drives, and now they face a Trojans offense that thrives on motion, deception and explosive plays. Without its veteran defensive backs on the field and healthy, Illinois could be in for another long afternoon.

This game is more than just another Saturday – it’s a must-win if Illinois wants to keep its playoff hopes alive, especially with Ohio State still looming. More importantly, it’s a pride game. The Illini were flat-out embarrassed last week, and now the question is whether Bielema’s team has the fight to respond. A homecoming win over USC wouldn’t just steady the season – it would go a long way toward restoring belief across Illini Nation.