Michigan and USC meet Saturday in a top-25 matchup. For the first time ever, a “stripe out” is scheduled at Michigan Stadium. Fans in even-numbered sections are encouraged to wear blue, while fans in odd-numbered sections must wear maize (the entire student section will be maize).

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What you need to know

Michigan and USC have met 10 times before, including eight in the Rose Bowl. They played a home-and-away series that brought the Trojans to Ann Arbor in 1958. They return Saturday as members of the Big Ten. This will be their first conference game as part of the league. It will also be the Wolverines’ Big Ten opener; they have won the league the past three years.

Alex Orji will make his first career start for Michigan. He’s a dual-threat quarterback in name only so far, as he’s attempted just seven career passes. Head coach Sherrone Moore brought him in last week after benching Davis Warren, and it’ll be interesting to see what Orji can do with the opportunity.

USC is feeling good after a 2-0 start, including a win over LSU. The Trojans, who were off last week, have seen strong QB play from Miller Moss and have shown what appears to be an improved defense from last season.

Michigan hasn’t lost two regular-season games since its disastrous 2020 season. To avoid a second loss on Saturday, Michigan will, simply put, have to play much better than it has so far this season.

Game information

• WHO: No. 11 USC Trojans (2-0) at No. 18 Michigan Wolverines (2-1)
• When: Saturday, September 21 at 3:40pm ET
• Where: Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
• Live updates: mlive.com/wolverines
• Point spread: USC-4.5

How to watch

TV Network: CBS

Streaming options:

• FuboTV is offering $30 off your first month on all U.S. plans. Sign up to catch up on your favorite TV shows, live sporting events, and more
• Sling TV currently has a $20 offer for the first month of the subscription and offers streaming coverage of live sports, news and entertainment
• DirecTV Stream offers live sports, news and on-demand TV

In case you missed it

What you need to read before kick-off:

QB Alex Orji changes Michigan’s offense. Will the change be enough to win?

How Michigan and USC Perform in Recruiting

For Michigan football games, some fans fly to Ann Arbor on private planes

Kalel Mullings’ physical running style is reminiscent of former Michigan RB

USC coach ready for new Michigan QB, ‘NFL players everywhere’

Donovan Edwards realizes after three games: ‘This is not the team from last year (Michigan)’

Pre-match podcast:

Big Ten Schedule (with predictions)

Friday:

Illinois near Nebraska

Saturday:

Charlotte near Indiana, noon ET (BTN)

Marshall at Ohio State, afternoon (FOX)

Villanova at Maryland, afternoon (BTN)

USC at Michigan, 3:30 p.m. (CBS)

Kent State at Penn State, 3:30 p.m. (BTN)

UCLA at LSU, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)

Rutgers at Virginia Tech, 3:30 p.m. (ACC Network)

Northwest of Washington, 7 (FS1)

Iowa v Minnesota, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)

Michigan State at Boston College, 8 (ACC Network)

Purdue at Oregon State, 8:30 (The CW)

• BETTING: Check out our guide to the best sports betting in michiganwhere our team of sports betting experts reviewed the experience, payout speed, parlay options and quality of odds across multiple sportsbooks. The Wolverines opened as a 6.5 point underdog to USC. Saturday’s Big Ten game marks the first time since 2021 that Michigan has played as an underdog in two regular-season games.