{"id":212604,"date":"2025-10-09T20:43:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T20:43:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/212604\/"},"modified":"2025-10-09T20:43:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T20:43:08","slug":"joel-klatt-makes-pick-for-michigan-at-usc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/212604\/","title":{"rendered":"Joel Klatt makes pick for Michigan at USC"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to BetMGM<\/a>, USC<\/a> is a 2.5-point favorite against Michigan<\/a> this weekend. On Thursday, FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt weighed in on the highly-anticipated Big Ten matchup.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve seen them play well on the road at Nebraska<\/a>. They struggled a bit, obviously, at Oklahoma<\/a>, and now they\u2019re going back on the road in a really big environment,\u201d Klatt said<\/a> of Michigan. \u201cBut, this is a team that can lean on that physicality, and this is where I would go back to. If USC just tries to lean on the pass game, that hasn\u2019t worked for them in the past. They need to run it with Waymond Jordan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey need to be more physical with their defense. And the evidence suggests that that\u2019s not available to them because we haven\u2019t seen it. Now, could that change? Certainly\u2026 But the evidence tells you that it\u2019s not there. Therefore, I\u2019ve got to take the more physical team, even on the road, getting 2.5. I like Michigan in this game. They get the two and a half. I\u2019ll take it. I\u2019ll take them to win this one straight up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since falling to Oklahoma in Week 2, Michigan has won three consecutive games. In contrast, USC is coming off a 34-32 loss to Illinois<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood<\/a> has been the difference-maker for the Wolverines. He\u2019s gradually found his footing this season and is now routinely performing like one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten.<\/p>\n

In Michigan\u2019s 24-10 triumph over Wisconsin<\/a> in Week 6, Underwood completed 19-of-his-28 pass attempts for 270 yards and a touchdown, without throwing an interception. He was far from the only standout in the showing.<\/p>\n

Running back Justice Haynes<\/a> erupted for 117 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Michigan is averaging 237.8 rushing yards per game, the 13th most in the country. USC also has a strong ground game this season, but the team\u2019s defense often hasn\u2019t held up.<\/p>\n

The Trojans are giving up 359.4 yards per game, the fifth most in the Big Ten. USC will have to shore up its defense and improve its physicality if it wants to prove Klatt wrong.<\/p>\n

The Trojans and Wolverines will square off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will air live on NBC.<\/p>\n

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