No. 19 USC Faces Crucial Northwestern Test in CFB Playoff Bid; NBA and NHL Highlights Set for Friday Night

Los Angeles, CA – November 7, 2025 – The No. 19 USC Trojans are set to host the Northwestern Wildcats on Friday night in a critical College Football showdown, with kickoff scheduled for 9 p.m. ET at the venerable Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This Big Ten football clash carries significant implications for USC’s increasingly narrow path to the College Football Playoff, while Northwestern seeks to solidify a surprisingly strong season with the coveted achievement of bowl eligibility.

The Trojans, currently holding a 6-2 overall record, find themselves positioned at No. 19 in the latest CFP rankings. This ranking underscores the substantial challenge ahead should they hope to secure an invitation to the expanded 12-team postseason tournament. With just a few weeks remaining in the regular season, USC’s current odds of making the playoff stand at +625, according to BetMGM, reflecting the steep uphill battle they face. Throughout the season, USC has displayed flashes of brilliance and offensive firepower, yet a pivotal 34-32 loss to Illinois earlier in the year, where they surprisingly entered as a touchdown favorite, remains a significant blot on their playoff resume. That defeat highlighted defensive vulnerabilities and a tendency for close contests against seemingly lesser opponents. The road ahead for USC is unforgiving, featuring a demanding matchup against a strong Iowa team and a critical road upset bid against the highly-ranked Oregon Ducks on November 22. Before embarking on this daunting late-season stretch, USC must first navigate the potential spoiler that is a surging Northwestern team, a club known for its resilience and ability to disrupt the plans of higher-ranked adversaries.

The Northwestern Wildcats (5-3) arrive in Los Angeles having profoundly defied minimal pre-season expectations, particularly in the wake of a modest four-win season last year. Under new leadership, the team has transformed, now standing just one victory shy of achieving bowl eligibility – a significant and unexpected milestone for the program. However, securing that sixth win is far from guaranteed, as the Wildcats face a challenging remaining schedule that features contests against perennial Big Ten contenders Michigan and Minnesota, in addition to a late-season rematch with Illinois. Despite these formidable hurdles, Northwestern has cultivated a reputation as a "silent killer," demonstrating a remarkable capacity to surprise unsuspecting opponents. This season, they famously orchestrated one of the biggest upsets in recent memory, ending the James Franklin era at Penn State with a shocking 22-21 home victory on October 11. In that contest, the Nittany Lions were heavily favored by three touchdowns, making Northwestern’s triumph a stark reminder of their potential to disrupt the national landscape. This historical context suggests that overlooking the Wildcats would be a perilous misstep for any team with championship aspirations.

For Friday’s contest, the USC Trojans are listed as 14.5-point favorites, reflecting their talent advantage and home-field status. The over/under for total points scored in the game is set at 51.5 in the latest college football odds. SportsLine’s projection model offers a slight lean towards the favored Trojans, forecasting a final score of 37-19, which suggests USC covering the spread approximately 55% of the time. However, the model’s more pronounced position is on the Over 51.5 points. Its extensive 10,000-game simulation anticipates at least 56 points hitting the scoreboard, generating a strong play on the Over with a nearly 60% probability. This contrasts with the implied sportsbook odds of 52%, indicating a potential value opportunity for bettors.

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Conversely, SportsLine CFB expert Bruce Marshall, who boasts a strong record with +1182 on college football picks, is advocating for the underdog, Northwestern, to cover the +14.5-point spread. Marshall points to USC’s narrow 21-17 escape against Nebraska last week as evidence of their vulnerability, suggesting the Trojans have not consistently played up to their potential. He emphasizes Northwestern’s robust defense, which has been a cornerstone of their surprising season, allowing an impressive average of just 16.8 points per game. Marshall believes this defensive strength will be the key factor in the Wildcats keeping the game well within the two-touchdown margin, potentially frustrating USC’s high-powered offense. The Wildcats’ disciplined defensive scheme and ability to force turnovers could prove decisive in a critical Big Ten crossover game.

Beyond the college football spotlight, Friday’s sports calendar features significant matchups in the NBA and NHL, offering a diverse array of high-stakes action for sports enthusiasts.

NBA Action: Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets

Denver, CO – The defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets will aim for their fifth consecutive home victory to start the 2025 NBA season as they host the Golden State Warriors in a highly anticipated NBA Cup group stage game at 10 p.m. ET. The Nuggets have shown early dominance on their home court, establishing themselves as a formidable force behind their MVP-caliber core and disciplined team play. Their perfect home record to begin the season highlights their comfort and efficiency at Ball Arena.

The Golden State Warriors, meanwhile, arrive in Denver with a challenging road record of 1-4 away from San Francisco, signaling early struggles to translate their home success to hostile environments. The veteran-laden team faced additional hurdles on Wednesday, opting to rest key players Jimmy Butler (due to a back injury) and perennial All-Star Steph Curry (due to illness). This depleted roster put up a respectable fight but ultimately fell 121-116 to the Sacramento Kings. Both Butler and Curry are considered questionable for Friday’s contest, and the substantial point spread for the game suggests oddsmakers anticipate their continued absence for a second consecutive outing, which would significantly impact the Warriors’ offensive and defensive capabilities. The inaugural NBA Cup group stage adds an extra layer of competitive intensity, as teams vie not only for regular-season standings but also for early-season bragging rights and potential tournament advancement in this new league initiative.

The SportsLine Projection Model indicates a slight lean toward the favored Nuggets in this matchup, acknowledging their home court advantage and the potential absence of key Warriors. However, its strongest conviction lies with the Over 228.5 points for the total score. The model’s extensive 10,000-game simulation predicts an average combined score of 236 points, pushing this game to exceed the Over at a significant 60% clip, irrespective of which players ultimately take the court for Golden State. This suggests a fast-paced game with efficient scoring opportunities, potentially capitalizing on defensive mismatches or quick transitions.

NHL Clash: Winnipeg Jets at San Jose Sharks

San Jose, CA – The Winnipeg Jets will look to rebound from a recent road loss as they face the San Jose Sharks at 10 p.m. ET. The Jets had been on a strong run, seeing their three-game winning streak snapped just Tuesday with a 3-0 shutout defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings. Prior to that loss, Winnipeg had demonstrated solid defensive play and opportunistic scoring, building momentum early in the season. Despite this recent setback, oddsmakers have priced Winnipeg in the -200 range, indicating a clear expectation for them to bounce back and assert their dominance against the Sharks.

The San Jose Sharks, however, enter the contest on a surprisingly positive trajectory, having won three of their last four games. This recent surge in form suggests a team that has found its rhythm after an initially challenging start to the season, adding an element of unpredictability to their matchups. Their ability to string together wins has instilled a newfound confidence within the locker room and among their fanbase.

The SportsLine Projection Model foresees the Winnipeg Jets securing a narrow victory in San Jose, acknowledging their overall stronger roster and current league standing. However, the model’s extensive 10,000-game simulation frequently projects a one-goal game, leading to a strong play on the Sharks +1.5 at -140. This "puck line" bet in hockey gives the underdog a 1.5-goal head start. The model calculates that the Sharks will cover this puck line in an impressive 74% of simulations, representing a substantial advantage over the sportsbook’s implied odds of 59%. This statistical discrepancy suggests that while Winnipeg may ultimately emerge victorious, San Jose is highly likely to keep the final score within a tight margin, making the puck line bet a compelling option for handicappers looking for value. The Sharks’ recent defensive improvements and opportunistic scoring could be key to frustrating the Jets and keeping the contest competitive.

Friday’s comprehensive sports schedule promises a diverse array of high-stakes contests across college football, professional basketball, and hockey, providing ample opportunity for competitive drama and significant betting insights for fans and analysts alike.