Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema before a game with the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The Big Ten gets started at noon on Saturday with a marquee matchup between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the USC Trojans, two teams looking to make a statement for very different reasons.

Illinois needs to rebound after its showing against Indiana and prove that was a mirage rather than the norm. USC is undefeated, but very quietly so, and would like to knock off the Illini to make some waves in the Big Ten.

If you are looking for some betting advice for the matchup, we've got you covered. Here are the latest odds for the game, courtesy of BetMGM.

Stream Illinois vs. USC

Illinois vs. USC game odds

All college football odds via BetMGM

  • Spread: USC -6.5 (-115), Illinois +6.5 (-105)
  • Money Line: USC -250, Illinois +200
  • Over-Under: Over 60.5 (-105), Under 60.5 (-115)

Illinois vs. USC prediction, pick:

This line feels a bit reactionary to what happened to the Illini last week when playing Indiana. Sure, it was utter destruction, but often we see a game get out of hand, the losing team presses, and things start to snowball which makes it look much, much worse.

Illinois is back home this week against the 4-0 Trojans, who are undefeated, but have shown some vulnerability in their last two Big Ten games. They beat Purdue 33-17 and Michigan State 45-31, but have shown a weakness against the pass. Illinois QB Luke Altmyer is extremely talented and could pick apart this secondary enough to keep this game close.

Prediction: USC 24, Illinois 20

Best Bet: Illinois +6.5

Illinois vs. USC channel, start time, streaming:

Time: 12 p.m. ET

TV Channel: FOX

Live Stream: FOX Sports App

Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Illinois vs. USC: Week 5 College Football Betting Odds, Prediction, Pick

Reporting by Riley Donald, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

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