Live Game Thread: Nebraska vs. No. 23 USC
Game day has arrived, Husker fans, and it’s a big one.
Lincoln Riley and his No. 23 USC Trojans (5-2, 3-1 B1G) are in Lincoln for a Big Ten showdown against the newly-extended Matt Rhule and his Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-2, 3-2 B1G).
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m., under the lights of the college football cathedral that is Memorial Stadium. NBC is providing the television coverage tonight and will have Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge and Kathryn Tappen on the call.
LIVE GAME THREAD: DISCUSS NEBRASKA-NORTHWESTERN ON THE INSIDER’S BOARD
Playing meaningful games in November has always been the goal for Rhule since taking the Nebraska job.
“That was the message — play great football in November,” Rhule said on Monday, two days after Nebraska beat Northwestern 28-21. “You’re training for November, not for September.”
There weren’t many of those important November games in Rhule’s first two seasons, but this year is different. Tonight’s game with the Trojans has College Football Playoff implications.
A win over USC will likely have the Huskers ranked again and command a spot in the CFP discussion. Lose to USC, and the path to the CFP all but ends.
What will Nebraska do with this opportunity?
“The thing I want our guys to understand is, you have to win your way into it,” Rhule said of the CFP. “The whole season’s an elimination tournament in college football, especially in the Big Ten. But there’s a bunch of teams right now that are 5-2, and 6-2, and you have to win your way in.”
While Nebraska got back on track in its win over Northwestern, USC is in Lincoln with fresh legs after enjoying a bye week last weekend. The Trojans’ last game was a 34-24 loss on the road at Notre Dame.
NEBRASKA vs. USC
How to watch, stream + listen:
Matchup: Nebraska vs. USC
Day: Saturday (Nov. 1)
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Location: Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, Neb.)
TV: NBC (Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge, Kathryn Tappen)
Stream: FuboTV
Radio: Huskers Radio Network (Kyle Crooks, Damon Benning, Jessica Coody)
Internet Audio: Huskers.com
App Audio: Official Huskers App
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Team info:
NEBRASKA
Record: 6-2 overall, 3-2 Big Ten
Last Game: vs. Northwestern (W, 28-21)
Rankings: AP-NR/Coaches-RV
Head Coach: Matt Rhule
Career/Nebraska Record: 65-58 (10th Year) / 18-15 (3rd Year)
Record vs. USC: 0-1
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USC
Record: 5-2, 3-1 Big Ten
Last Game: at Notre Dame (L, 34-24)
Rankings: AP-23/Coaches-RV
Head Coach: Lincoln Riley
Career/USC Record: 86-26 (9th Year)/31-16 (4th Year)
Record vs. Nebraska: 2-0
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Series History:
All-Time Series: USC leads, 5-0-1
In Lincoln: USC leads, 2-0
As Big Ten Foes: USC leads, 1-0
Current Win Streak: USC, 4 games
Last Meeting: USC, 28-20 (2024)
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Betting Lines:
Spread: USC -7
Total O/U: 58.5
>> Spreads and O/U point totals as of 10:30 am. CT on Monday, per BetMGM