USC’s Efficient Offense Goes on the Road to Face Wisconsin

Coach Lincoln Riley will unleash his potent offense in a hostile environment in America’s heartland on Saturday.

The No. 16 USC Trojans (6-1) hit the road this week to take on the Wisconsin Badgers (4-2).

The Badgers are undefeated at home this season at 3-0. The Trojans are likely to have something to say about that. 

Date: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

Time: 4:30 p.m. PT

Location: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin

TV: NBC

Betting Odds: USC -3-point favorite

The Badgers offense lives and dies with quarterback Colton Joseph, who leads the team in both rushing and passing.

Joseph has passed for 1,198 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He has completed 547.7 percent of his passes. Joseph has also rushed for 333 yards and four TDs.

Wisconsin is coming off a 17-7 loss on the road to UCLA. It was their lowest scoring output of the season.

The Badgers do not run the ball well, as they have scored only seven rushing touchdowns, four of which are credited to Joseph.

On defense, Wisconsin’s defensive secondary may be a challenge to USC quarterback Jayden Maiava. The Badgers allow just 171 passing yards per game.

Further, they have given up only three touchdown passes and intercepted five passes. That is good enough to be ranked No. 20 in the FBS.

The Badgers’ defense ranks No. 24 in the FBS in scoring defense, having allowed just 16 points per game.

The Trojans’ offense will present a significant challenge to the Badgers. In the Big Ten Conference, USC ranks:

Quarterback Jayden Maiava is ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten in passing yards (2,045) and passing yards per game (292).

Maiava has thrown 18 touchdown passes and only three interceptions.

The skill players are in abundance in the USC offense. As many as seven different receivers have scored touchdowns.

Two true freshmen lead the receiving corps: Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Trent Mosley. Mosley was named a Midseason True Freshman All-American.

The defense, under the coaching of defensive coordinator Gary Patterson, ranks among the top 1/3 of all FBS teams in rushing defense at 111 yards per game.

The Trojans held Penn State to 68 yards on the ground and two yards per carry.

They are also stingy when it comes to opponents’ 3rd down conversions. They have allowed teams to convert only 32 percent of the time.

Add all that up, and you have a talented Trojans team that can conquer the Badgers and on their home field.

When the dust settles, USC will cause the Wisconsin fans to jump out of their seats and run to the exits after the Trojans fought on to victory.