USC vs Michigan State: Big Ten's Biggest Showdown Tonight, Find Kickoff Time, Live Stream, and Expert Predictions

By: Daily Realty Bureau | Date: 21 Sep 2025

BREAKING NEWS: The biggest headline in college football this week comes from Los Angeles, California, where two undefeated Big Ten teams are set to clash for the first time in over three decades. This late-night battle, scheduled for Saturday, September 20, will serve as an entertaining cap to the night, answering the question of whether No. 25 USC can maintain its perfect season or if Michigan State can continue its historical winning streak against the Trojans. For fans in East Lansing, several cups of coffee will be needed to stay awake for the 11 p.m. ET kickoff of this massive USC vs Michigan State Big Ten clash. The game will be televised on Fox and available for streaming on Fubo. This preview will detail why this historical matchup is so significant, highlight the key players for both the Trojans and the Spartans, and provide expert predictions, ensuring you don't miss any of the drama from the LA Memorial Coliseum.

USC vs Michigan State: A Historical Matchup After 35 Years and Key Viewing Details

The upcoming weekend promises a landmark moment for the Big Ten Conference as USC and Michigan State prepare to face off for the first time in more than three decades. This momentous game is set for Saturday, September 20, at the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The game’s timing, a late-night affair kicking off at 11 p.m. ET, has been dubbed "Big Ten After Dark". While conference realignment often has drawbacks, it has gifted fans with long-awaited matchups such as this. The last time the Trojans and Spartans met was during the Sun Bowl in 1990. In that close contest, Michigan State emerged victorious with a 17-16 score, which tied the all-time series between the two teams at 4-4. Even more notably, the Spartans are currently riding a three-game winning streak against the Trojans. This streak includes two victories during the 1987 season: both the season-opener and a rematch in the Rose Bowl. This year, USC, playing in Coach Lincoln Riley’s fourth season, has already started conference play strongly, securing a 33-17 win over Purdue last weekend. Conversely, Michigan State has also maintained a zero in the loss column, but their journey has been less comfortable, requiring overtime to defeat Boston College in Week 2 before they handled Youngstown State last weekend. Fans asking "Big Ten Football Match Time" should note that the late kickoff on Fox will conclude the night’s college football schedule.

Jayden Maiava's Scorching Start: Can He Solidify His Heisman Bid?

For the USC Trojans, quarterback Jayden Maiava has been the driving force, appearing to be Lincoln Riley's newest star signal-caller in Los Angeles. Maiava is off to a scorching start, shredding defenses across the first three games of the season. His performance has placed him at the top of the Big Ten, leading the conference with an impressive 989 passing yards. Furthermore, he has demonstrated exceptional efficiency, throwing six touchdowns without a single interception, while also adding two rushing scores to his tally. With such an explosive output, Maiava, alongside USC's big-play threats like Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane, will pose a substantial challenge for Michigan State to contain. A big performance against the Spartans this weekend could further propel Maiava into the highly competitive Heisman Trophy conversation. Crucially for this USC vs Michigan State matchup, Maiava may face little resistance, given the weaknesses of the opposing defense. Michigan State’s defense is currently struggling, ranking 116th nationally by allowing an average of 273.3 passing yards per game. This vulnerable pass defense suggests that Maiava is in an excellent position to continue his blistering form and potentially accumulate huge yardage numbers.

Aidan Chiles’ Mandate: Michigan State Needs a Turnovers-Free Game

Michigan State’s undefeated record, while encouraging, has not been achieved with great ease, especially considering they needed overtime against Boston College. The junior quarterback, Aidan Chiles, is seen as the key player who must step up for the Spartans in this "colossal matchup". Last season, Chiles was criticized for being far too reckless, often either throwing the ball to the opposition or fumbling it on the turf. If Michigan State aims to secure a win and carry it back to East Lansing, it is essential that these turnover issues do not manifest during Saturday’s game. Chiles has shown signs of improvement in this area over the first three games of the current season. Although he lost a fumble in the season-opener and threw one interception last weekend, this still represents a significant improvement compared to leading the conference in interceptions last fall. The stakes are high; Chiles must play a clean game because any turnovers that result in short fields for the explosive USC offense would be a "recipe for disaster". Given that Michigan State’s pass defense looks "shaky" and ranks 116th in the country, Chiles and the Spartan offense may ultimately need to "carry the Spartans" to victory.

Expert Prediction: Is This Headed for a High-Scoring Thriller?

Experts anticipate that the late kickoff time, often referred to as "Big Ten After Dark," adds an element of potential unpredictability, or the chance for the game to "get a little weird". The USC offense has largely been performing exceptionally well, or "humming," with the exception of a few stalled drives in their last outing. On the Michigan State side, Aidan Chiles possesses the ability to execute spectacular plays, though he also maintains a "penchant for putting the ball in harm's way". The Trojan defense has shown improvement, but they will face their most significant challenge of the season against Michigan State. Conversely, Michigan State's defense appears quite vulnerable at this stage of the season. Considering the strengths of the offenses and the observed weaknesses in the defenses—particularly Michigan State's low ranking against the pass—many experts believe this late game will be entertaining and high-scoring. Based on current analysis, the official expert prediction for this USC vs Michigan State contest is to take the Over 56.5 points.

Conclusion

In summary, the USC vs Michigan State college football game in Los Angeles, California, this Saturday marks a significant, long-awaited renewal of history after 35 years. This match pits the explosive, undefeated USC, led by quarterback Jayden Maiava (who leads the Big Ten with 989 passing yards), against a Michigan State squad whose success hinges on junior QB Aidan Chiles limiting turnovers. While Chiles must deliver a clean performance against a slightly improved USC defense, Maiava is poised to exploit Michigan State’s vulnerable 116th-ranked pass defense. Experts predict this exciting late-night clash (11 PM ET on Fox) will be a high-scoring affair, favoring the Over 56.5 points. The result of this crucial Big Ten battle will not only shape the course of both teams' seasons but could also significantly boost Jayden Maiava's Heisman prospects, laying the groundwork for a new, intense conference rivalry for years to come.

FAQs (5 Q&A)

1. When and where will the USC vs Michigan State game be played? The USC vs Michigan State game is scheduled for Saturday, September 20. It will be held at the LA Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The kick-off time for this late-night Big Ten clash is set for 11 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).

2. How can I watch or stream the USC vs Michigan State game live? Viewers can watch the exciting USC vs Michigan State game live on the Fox television network. Those who prefer to stream the event can tune in using Fubo, which offers a free trial option for viewing.

3. Which USC player is expected to have the biggest impact on the game? USC quarterback Jayden Maiava is expected to have the biggest impact. He leads the Big Ten with 989 passing yards and has thrown six touchdowns with zero interceptions through three games. He aims for a big performance to further his Heisman Trophy conversation.

4. What is the biggest challenge facing Michigan State in this USC vs Michigan State matchup? Michigan State’s biggest challenge lies in containing turnovers, which quarterback Aidan Chiles must limit, having been reckless last season. Additionally, their defense is vulnerable, ranking 116th nationally by allowing 273.3 passing yards per game, which is a concern against USC's powerful offense.

5. How long has it been since USC and Michigan State played each other? The game on Saturday, September 20, will be the first time USC vs Michigan State have met in more than three decades. They last played in the Sun Bowl in 1990, where Michigan State won 17-16, tying the all-time series at 4-4.