For the third time in just over a month, USC travels east for a Big Ten road game, this time for prime-time action against Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., today at 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC).
The lines on Kalshi have the Trojans as 2.5-point road favorites with the total at 49.5, and my USC vs. Wisconsin prediction and college football picks expect Lincoln Riley's program to stay undefeated on the road.
For the rest of today's slate, see our Week 8 college football top picks and Brad Powers' Week 8 predictions.
TOP PICK
Who will win USC vs Wisconsin today? Pick: USC -2.5
USC has long faced criticism for its performances in cross-country road games under Lincoln Riley, but the Trojans beat Penn State by eight points in Week 6 at Happy Valley, covering as 1.5-point favorites. Fresh off a bye week, I like USC to cover -2.5 or better on the road against Wisconsin.
The Badgers and Trojans are so different it's like they're playing completely different sports, and that favors USC. Wisconsin lost by double digits on the West Coast last week to a UCLA team led by a backup QB making his first start as a Bruin, and Jayden Maiava is a lot scarier than Ty Dieffenbach.
Maiava ranks in the top 10 nationally in QBR (86.8) and is protected by one of the best offensive lines in the country, with the starting five credited with allowing just two sacks. If Wisconsin can't pressure Maiava, he'll pick the Badgers apart, and the Badgers won't be able to throw themselves back into the game.
USC is also expected to have its most disruptive defensive player back, with Jahkeem Stewart listed as probable on the Big Ten injury report. Check the college football injury report for the latest before kickoff. For more spread plays, see our college football Week 8 picks against the spread.
COVERS INTEL: Wisconsin has one of the worst offenses in the Big Ten, ranking 95th in success rate (42%) and 103rd in early-down EPA per play.
USC vs Wisconsin Over/Under pick: Over 49.5
This is the lowest game total of the season for USC, and that's because Wisconsin is the polar opposite type of team. But even with the Badgers' strong defense and lackluster offense, I would take the Over at 50.5 or better.
In four Big Ten matchups, USC has averaged 31.2 points per game while allowing 26.5, with the game total reaching 54 or higher three times. The dual-threat ability of Badgers QB Colton Joseph should allow him to make enough of a dent against a Trojans defense ranked outside the top 115 in EPA per pass, EPA per rush, and early-down EPA per play.
USC has only held one opponent below 21 points this season, and has only had one opponent hold it below 27. For more totals, see our college football Week 8 Over/Under picks.
USC vs Wisconsin prop: USC TT Over 26.5
Like every USC team under Riley, the Trojans score a lot and have one of the country's most efficient offenses. USC has been held to fewer than 31 points only twice this season and is averaging 36.5 points per game in Big Ten matchups on the road.
With Maiava dealing, I like USC to hit its team total Over at 27.5 or better. The Trojans' star QB is tied for fifth in the country in TD passes (18) and has USC ranked top 10 in offensive success rate (51.6%).
He has a plethora of weapons at his disposal, too, with five different players over 300 yards from scrimmage this season. That includes Trent Mosley, one of college football's most dangerous freshmen.
USC vs Wisconsin combo
USC's defense remains a huge concern, but with one of the best QBs in college football, an elite offensive line, and a half-dozen quality playmakers, the Trojans have enough firepower to win another game in Big Ten country.
Maiava has too much firepower for Wisconsin's defense to hold for four quarters, and this is the best offense the Badgers have faced. USC ranks No. 2 nationally in net adjusted EPA per play on offense.
If Stewart and USC's talented defensive line come to play against a Wisconsin front that struggles to run the ball (the Badgers rank 115th in rushing success rate at 39.2%), the Trojans can pull away late. For player-level angles, see our Week 8 college football player props and anytime touchdown picks.
USC vs Wisconsin combo
- USC -2.5
- USC team total Over 26.5
- USC 4Q -1.5
More multi-leg plays are in our Week 8 college football parlays and combos.
- Top picks: 15-11, +2.41 units
- Combos: 7-19, +1.47 units
More Week 8 college football picks
These Covers pages cover multiple games on today's Week 8 slate.
- Week 8 college football top picks for today
- Brad Powers' Week 8 college football predictions and best bets
- Week 8 college football AI predictions
- Week 8 Top 25 college football predictions with watchability ratings
- Week 8 Group of 6 college football predictions
- Week 8 college football picks against the spread
- Week 8 college football moneyline picks
- Week 8 college football Over/Under picks
- Week 8 college football parlays and combos
- Week 8 college football anytime touchdown picks
- Week 8 college football player props
USC vs Wisconsin odds today
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Spread: USC -2.5 | Wisconsin +2.5
- Over/Under: Over 49.5 (50%) | Under 49.5 (50%)
- Moneyline: USC 57% | Wisconsin 43%
For straight-up plays across the slate, see our college football Week 8 moneyline picks. If you prefer to trade the game, college football markets are available on Kalshi.
For the full slate of today's college football matchups, see our college football odds board.
More Covers college football betting tools
USC vs Wisconsin weather
Weather isn't expected to have an impact on tonight's game in Madison, Wis.
Our college football weather page has up-to-date info on every matchup.
USC vs Wisconsin trend to know
The Over is 4-0 in USC's last four games vs. teams with a winning record. Find more college football betting trends for USC vs. Wisconsin, or see our Week 8 college football AI predictions for a model-based read on the slate.
or our BET99 promo code COVERS99 if you're in Canada.
How to watch USC vs Wisconsin
| Location | Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wis. |
| Date | Today, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
USC vs Wisconsin latest injuries
Our college football injuries page has updates on every team.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
