No. 16 USC Set for Wisconsin Matchup

USC enters Saturday’s trip to Wisconsin at 6-1 after a bye, with injured starters getting extra recovery time and a looming Oct. 31 matchup with Ohio State making focus a key concern. Wisconsin is coming off a 17-7 loss at UCLA in which it contained the Bruins’ running game but struggled offensively, committed costly penalties and allowed backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach to convert third downs through the air. That pass-defense weakness is a concern against USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, who has thrown for 2,045 yards and 18 touchdowns, though USC’s road performances have been uneven. The Trojans are favored, but analysts caution that Wisconsin’s physical defense and home-field advantage make the game no easy win.