Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.

The No. 22 USC Trojans (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten) and the No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini (3-1, 0-1) meet Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET (FOX). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NCAA football odds around the USC vs. Illinois odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.

The Trojans have rolled up 4 wins in 4 games, scoring at least 33 points in each outing. In 2 conference games, USC has gone for 39.0 points per game, but it's 0-2 against the spread (ATS) in those Big Ten contests. The Over has hit 3 of 4 games, too.

For USC, QB Jaydan Maiava completed 20 of 26 passes for 234 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs in a 45-31 win over Michigan State last Saturday, hooking up with WR Makai Lemon for 8 receptions, 127 yards and a score on 8 targets. RB Waymond Jordan posted 157 rushing yards on 18 carries, while RB Eli Sanders added 90 rushing yards.

Illinois is licking its wounds after getting routed 63-10 at Indiana in a battle of ranked teams last Saturday in Bloomington. That splashed ice-cold water on a 3-0 straight-up/ATS start. After having allowed just 22 total points in the first 3 games, the Fighting Illini allowed 31 first downs, 312 rushing yards and 267 passing yards, while amassing just 9 first downs, 2 rushing yards and 159 passing yards. It also gave up 7 sacks in the one-sided affair. QB Luke Altmyer was mostly shut down, throwing for just 146 yards and a TD, while WR Hank Beatty was limited to 2 grabs for 13 yards.

This is the first time these teams are playing as fellow Big Ten combatants. The last time these teams met was Jan. 1, 2008, in the Rose Bowl, with USC routing Illinois 49-17. The Trojans lead the all-time series 11-2, winning 11 of the past 12 meetings since 1936.

– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

USC at Illinois odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 4:14 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): USC -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Illinois +200 (bet $100 to win $200)
  • Against the spread: USC -6.5 (-115) | Illinois +6.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 60.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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USC at Illinois picks and predictions

Prediction

USC 34, Illinois 27

Moneyline

USC (-250) will set you back 2½ times your potential return, and that's way too much risk for not enough reward.

While perceptions certainly changed about Illinois and its viability as a contender or playoff team, it is back home, and it won't be easy for the Trojans on their second trip of the season to the Midwest in just 3 weeks.

AVOID.

Against the spread

USC -6.5 (-115) is worth playing lightly in this road game.

There are a couple of reasons to be concerned. It will be a 9 a.m. PT kickoff for the Trojans, so a slow start could be possible. USC has already been to Purdue this season, so the travel could add up, too. USC had a season-low 33 points against a mediocre Purdue team, and Illinois is supposed to be much better than the Boilermakers, so there is that.

There is concern about how Illinois will respond, at home, after a 53-point beatdown last Saturday in Indiana. We're going to find out a lot about both of these teams Saturday.

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Over/Under

OVER 60.5 (-105) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.

USC has cashed high in 3 of 4 games so far, but there is risk. The Trojans' only Under result came Sept. 13, in their only road game to date.

For Illinois, the Over/Under has split in 4 games, with the Under going 2-0 in 2 home contests and the Over hitting in both previous road outings. With Illinois allowing 63 points last week, perception of the defense is much different heading into Saturday.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: USC Trojans at Illinois Fighting Illini odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Daniel Dobish, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

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