Updated Betting Odds For USC vs. Northwestern Reveal Large Point Spread

The USC Trojans improved to 6-2 on the season with a 21-17 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Next up for USC is a Friday night game against the Northwestern Wildcats. What are the current betting odds for this game?
Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley greets quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) after scoring a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley greets quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) after scoring a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The No. 20 USC Trojans have a short week to prepare for their next game against the Northwestern Wildcats. This game is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 7 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kickoff will be at 6 p.m. PT and broadcast on FOX. 

What are the current betting odds for this Big Ten matchup?

USC Heavy Home Favorites vs. Northwestern

USC Trojans Northwestern Wildcats Big Ten Betting Odds Lincoln Riley Nebraska Cornhuskers Oregon College Football Playoff
Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley walks on the field before a game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans are 14.5 point favorites over the visiting Wildcats according to DraftKings Sportsbook. USC has odds of -650 to win outright while Northwestern is +470. The over/under is at 52.5 points. 

Northwestern is 5-3 on the season and are 3-2 in Big Ten conference play. They will be coming off of a bye week. In the Wildcats last outing, they lost on the road to Nebraska 28-21.

MORE: What USC Coach Lincoln Riley Said About Nebraska's Hostile Environment

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MORE: Biggest Winners And Losers in USC Trojans' Signature Road Win Against Nebraska 

Can USC Extend Home Winning Streak?

USC Trojans Northwestern Wildcats Big Ten Betting Odds Lincoln Riley Nebraska Cornhuskers Oregon College Football Playoff
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans running back Bryan Jackson (21) gets past Michigan Wolverines linebacker Cole Sullivan (23) and runs for a touchdown in the second half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

USC has not lost a home game in 2025. The Trojans have a record of 6-2 overall and a 4-0 mark at home. It’s been a while since USC has played a game in Los Angeles. Their last home game was on Oct. 11 against the Michigan Wolverines. Since then, USC has played two road games against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Nebraska Cornhuskers with a bye in between those games. 

In their last game, USC went on the road and won a defensive battle against Nebraska by a final score of 21-17. 

USC Trojans Northwestern Wildcats Big Ten Betting Odds Lincoln Riley Nebraska Cornhuskers Oregon College Football Playoff
Nov 1, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) looks to pass against Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Dasan McCullough (15) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

With their 6-2 record, the Trojans control their destiny when it comes to the College Football Playoff. USC has four games remaining on their schedule. Three of them are at home, with just one road game remaining. 

Nov. 7 vs. Northwestern Wildcats
Nov. 15 vs. Iowa Hawkeyes
Nov. 22 at No. 6 Oregon Ducks
Nov. 29 vs. UCLA Bruins 

The toughest game on here is clearly the lone road game, at Oregon. Autzen Stadium is one of the hardest places in the country to play for road team. Until losing to the Indiana Hoosiers earlier this season, Oregon had gone since Dan Lanning’s first season as coach in 2022 without losing a home game. 

USC last played in Eugene in 2023, where they fell to the Ducks 36-27.

USC's Defense Steps Up Against Nebraska

USC Trojans Northwestern Wildcats Big Ten Betting Odds Lincoln Riley Nebraska Cornhuskers Oregon College Football Playoff
Nov 1, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) passes against Southern California Trojans defensive tackle Devan Thompkins (8) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The USC defense was the story of the game in the 21-17 Trojans win. Even with USC quarterback Jayden Maiava having his worst start of the season, they were still able to pull off the win on the road. Defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn deserves credit for having his defense shut down the Nebraska offense in the second half.

The Cornhuskers were only able to put up six points on two field goals the entire second half.

  • Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. 
  • If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER. 

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Cory Pappas
CORY PAPPAS

Cory Pappas is sports writer for USC Trojans On SI and Oregon Ducks On SI. Since starting in March of 2024, he has been writing breaking news stories, game previews, game recaps, and more across College Sports, the NFL, MLB, NBA, and Olympics for Total Apex Sports. In addition to writing, Cory is also a sports data scout for Sportradar. He covers live sporting events ranging from college athletics to semi-pro and professional. Before joining the industry, Cory graduated from the University of Oregon in 2022. He ran track for Oregon's club Track and Field team. Before Oregon, he played varsity basketball and track and field in high school in Walnut Creek, CA. Cory is using his lifelong passion for sports and writing together.

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