Jayden Maiava and Josh Hoover face off as USC visits defending national champion Indiana

No. 20 USC, with a 7-2 record, visits defending national champion Indiana in a game that could test both teams’ playoff hopes. The article expects a close contest, noting USC’s reliance on quarterback Jayden Maiava and Indiana’s recent run of narrow results.

Maiava has completed about 67 per cent of his passes for 20 touchdowns and five interceptions, though he threw two picks in USC’s loss to Wisconsin. Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover has fewer than 2,000 passing yards, with 19 touchdowns and two interceptions; the Hoosiers have gone 3-1 across four close games, including two overtime wins. Both teams are coming off bye weeks, and the writer predicts Indiana to win, favouring a spread of -7.