Michigan defensive end Josaiah Stewart (0) celebrates a tackle against USC during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Week 7 of the college football season has many interesting and important games to choose from. SEC fans will be focused on Oklahoma-Texas in Dallas. Big Ten fans will watch Indiana-Oregon in the afternoon and then pivot to Michigan versus USC in prime time. Indiana-Oregon is bigger, but Michigan-USC is massively important for both teams and head coaches. There will be a lot of grumbling in Ann Arbor or Los Angeles after a loss, especially if that loss is the result of poor performance.

How big is this game for Lincoln Riley and USC? Trojans Wire wrote that "Riley needs to win this football game, or it will be a very loud week in the media... The narratives already were set after the Illinois loss, but losing to Michigan would add more fuel to the fire. The Trojans need to win this game."

Sherrone Moore of Michigan continues to elicit a measure of skepticism from the Michigan fan base with conservative decisions, such as punting on 4th and inches against Wisconsin last week. If this is a classic game, the loser will hold his head high and tip the cap, but if the outcome is decided by a blunder or any conspicuous inadequacy, the losing coach will be buried.

Our College Sports Wire football roundtable offers predictions and analysis for this Michigan - USC football meeting in Southern California ... but not in a Rose Bowl game:

Tyler Nettuno

I think Bryce Underwood still has a ways to go before he's single handedly leading road wins against talented conference foes, but he may not need to. This Trojans defense has improved since the Alex Grinch days, but I still don't entirely trust it. I think this could be a spot for the Wolverines to feed Justice Haynes, who has impressed this season. Michigan will win if it can at least partially slow down USC's offense. Michigan 28, USC 24.

Riley Donald

What in intriguing juxtaposition of teams. Jayden Maiava is playing great at quarterback for the Trojans. He is completing a ton of balls, not turning it over, and not losing games for USC. Conversely, Michigan is developing Bryce Underwood who is paired with a smashmouth run game. Until USC proves it is ready to get into a fistfight, this is a game the Wolverines pick up. Michigan 24, USC 17.

Matt Zemek

I cover USC regularly. I know USC has more talent than Michigan, but I also know USC is entirely untrustworthy under Lincoln Riley. This is a game USC usually loses. Last year, Michigan had zero passing game and still won because it was tougher up front and USC made enough mistakes to lose. That has been the template and pattern for the Trojans under Riley since 2023. I can't trust either team in this game, but if forced to make a prediction, I would have to lean Michigan, even though I think USC has more talent. USC hasn't earned the benefit of the doubt. Until it does, I can't -- in good conscience -- pick the Trojans over another big name team, even if that big name team looked ordinary against an awful Wisconsin side. Michigan by 3.

Wolverines Wire analysis

Wolverines Wire dove into the stats for these teams:

"USC has the No. 2 total offense (565.0) and is No. 1 in terms of yards per play (8.53). The best total defense the Trojans have faced is No. 68 Michigan State (359.4). The best defense in terms of yards per play allowed that USC has faced is No. 97 Illinois (5.81). Michigan has the No. 18 total defense (283.4) and is 14th in yards per play (4.27).

"Michigan's offense has improved greatly year over year, as the Wolverines are ranked No. 36 in total offense (438.4). They're also 20th in yards per play (6.91). The best defense Michigan has faced is No. 1 Oklahoma (193.0 in yards per game and 3.5 in yards per play). The Wolverines have also faced No. 11 Nebraska (247.4), and No. 40 Wisconsin (316.6). USC is ranked 68th, allowing 359.4 yards per game."

Trojans Wire analysis

Trojans Wire is concerned about the USC defense against the Michigan running game:

"This game could be a shootout, but the Wolverines have a run game good enough to keep the Trojans' offense off the field. The Wolverines have playmakers all over the field and a quarterback who is a special dual-threat talent. Justice Haynes is the player who will get the most attention, and if the Trojans let him run wild, he could win this game by himself."

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: College Football Roundtable -- predictions and analysis for Michigan vs USC in Week 7

Reporting by Matt Zemek, Tyler Nettuno and Riley Donald, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

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