USC Trojans at Wisconsin Badgers

Injuries noted

USC Trojans: Jahkeem Stewart (probable) — DT #4 listed Probable on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Terrell Anderson (out) — WR #9 listed Out on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Corey Simms (out) — WR #10 listed Out on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Jadyn Walker (probable) — LB #15 listed Probable on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Mark Bowman (questionable) — TE #19 listed Questionable on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Kendarius Reddick (out) — S #23 listed Out on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Taylor "Taybo" Johnson (out) — LB #50 listed Out on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Roman Marchetti (out) — LB #57 listed Out on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Kilian O'Connor (out) — OL #67 listed Out on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Luc Weaver (questionable) — WR #80 listed Questionable on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Jide Abasiri (questionable) — DT #97 listed Questionable on the Big Ten Update 2 report

Wisconsin Badgers: Javan Robinson (probable) — CB #2 listed Probable on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Cai Bates (out) — CB #3 listed Out on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Malachi Coleman (questionable) — WR #4 listed Questionable on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Darrion Dupree (probable) — RB #6 listed Probable on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Nate Palmer (questionable) — RB #15 listed Questionable on the Big Ten Update 2 report; Austin Kawecki (probable) — OL #51 listed Probable on the Big Ten Update 2 report

QUARTERBACK

• Jayden Maiava is USC's confirmed starter

  9.13 Y/A

  Jayden Maiava is USC's confirmed starting quarterback. USC's official depth chart dated October 21 lists Maiava first at quarterback. The October 22 Wisconsin-game report also explicitly identifies him as USC's full-time starter. 2026 line: 2045 passing yards, 67.9% completions, 9.13 yards per attempt, 18-3 TD-INT over 7 games.

• Colton Joseph is WIS's confirmed starter

  7.53 Y/A

  Colton Joseph is WIS's confirmed starting quarterback. The October 20 USC-game depth chart supplied by UW Communications lists Joseph first team. The report notes that the chart is based on the previous game. 2026 line: 1198 passing yards, 54.7% completions, 7.53 yards per attempt, 10-5 TD-INT over 6 games.

PACE & SCRIPT

• USC: 36.4 points per game to WIS's 27.5

  8.9 PPG

  USC scores at almost the same rate as last season, 36.4 now against 35.8 then, so that offense is who it is. The bigger story is Wisconsin, which has jumped from 12.8 points a game last season to 27.5 over six games. That kind of leap can come partly from softer early opponents, so Wisconsin's number is the one more likely to move. A game against an offense like USC's is a real test of whether the improvement holds.

• WIS: 16.7 points allowed per game to USC's 25.1

  8.5 PPG

  USC is at 25.1 points allowed per game over 7 games; WIS is at 16.7 over 6 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 23. Last season USC was at 23 over 13 games and WIS at 21.6 over 12 games.

• USC: 32:47 time of possession per game to WIS's 27:39

  5:08 TOP

  USC is at 32:47 time of possession per game over 7 games; WIS is at 27:39 over 6 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 23. Last season USC was at 30:01 over 13 games and WIS at 30:38 over 12 games.

MISMATCH

• USC: 310.1 pass yards a game to WIS's 199.7

  310.1 VS 199.7

  USC throws for 310.1 yards a game over 7 games, in line with 296 last season, so the passing attack is steady. Wisconsin is up to 199.7 from 136.4, an improvement but still a gap. Because USC's number held across two seasons, it is the more reliable side of this matchup. Wisconsin's best answer is a long, run-heavy game plan that limits how many possessions USC's passing game gets.

COVERAGE

• WIS: 171.2 passing yards allowed per game to USC's 239

  67.8 YPG

  USC is at 239 passing yards allowed per game over 7 games; WIS is at 171.2 over 6 games. Those are what each defense has allowed in this season's games through Oct 23.

REPLACEMENT

• Terrell Anderson (WR) is out for USC

  OUT

  WR #9 listed Out on the Big Ten Update 2 report Big Ten availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-23 19:00:00 CT) (2026-10-23)

• Corey Simms (WR) is out for USC

  OUT

  WR #10 listed Out on the Big Ten Update 2 report Big Ten availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-23 19:00:00 CT) (2026-10-23)

• Kendarius Reddick (S) is out for USC

  OUT

  S #23 listed Out on the Big Ten Update 2 report Big Ten availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-23 19:00:00 CT) (2026-10-23)

• Taylor "Taybo" Johnson (LB) is out for USC

  OUT

  LB #50 listed Out on the Big Ten Update 2 report Big Ten availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-23 19:00:00 CT) (2026-10-23)

• Roman Marchetti (LB) is out for USC

  OUT

  LB #57 listed Out on the Big Ten Update 2 report Big Ten availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-23 19:00:00 CT) (2026-10-23)

• Kilian O'Connor (OL) is out for USC

  OUT

  OL #67 listed Out on the Big Ten Update 2 report Big Ten availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-23 19:00:00 CT) (2026-10-23)

• Cai Bates (CB) is out for WIS

  OUT

  CB #3 listed Out on the Big Ten Update 2 report Big Ten availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-23 19:00:00 CT) (2026-10-23)

SITUATIONAL

• USC: 310.1 team passing yards per game to WIS's 199.7

  110.5 YPG

  USC is throwing for 310.1 yards a game through 7 games, close to its 296 last season, so this passing offense is real. Wisconsin is at 199.7, up from 136.4 last season. USC's number should hold, while Wisconsin's jump may cool. Expect USC to lean on the pass at Wisconsin.

• USC has 7 more days of rest

  14d vs 7d

  USC travels to Wisconsin on 14 days of rest after a bye, while Wisconsin plays on a normal seven-day week. The bye takes some of the sting out of the road trip, giving USC time to recover and game-plan specifically for this opponent. Wisconsin keeps home field, which offsets part of that edge. Treat USC's rest as something that narrows the usual road disadvantage.

• USC: 25.3 first downs per game to WIS's 17.2

  8.1 FD

  USC moves the chains 25.3 times a game over 7 games, Wisconsin 17.2 over 6. Both are close to or above last season, USC at 23.7 and Wisconsin up from 14.1, so USC's ability to sustain drives looks steady. On the road, USC likely controls possession time, which leaves Wisconsin fewer chances to catch up.

TEAM RECORD

• Big Ten game: USC 3-1, WIS 2-1 in conference

  CONFERENCE

  These two share the Big Ten. USC is 3-1 against it, WIS is 2-1. 2026 standings through 2026-10-24.