Wojo's Pigskin Picks: Wolverines Planning to Give USC Warm Big Ten Welcome

New Year's Day game set for Pasadena

The Michigan Wolverines are set to make their highly anticipated debut in the Big Ten Conference on New Year's Day when they take on the USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl. The game will be a rematch of the 2007 Rose Bowl, which Michigan won 32-18. The Wolverines are coming off a 12-2 season in which they won the Big Ten Championship Game. They are led by quarterback Cade McNamara, who threw for 2,576 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Running back Blake Corum is also a key player for Michigan. He rushed for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2021. The Trojans are coming off an 8-4 season in which they finished third in the Pac-12 South. They are led by quarterback Caleb Williams, who transferred from Oklahoma in the offseason. Williams threw for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. Running back Travis Dye is also a key player for USC. He rushed for 1,271 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2021.

History of rivalry

The Michigan-USC rivalry is one of the most storied in college football. The two teams have met 43 times, with Michigan holding a 23-19-1 advantage. The rivalry began in 1909 and has been played every year since 1988. Some of the most memorable games in the rivalry include: * A 28-23 USC win in 1962 that clinched the national championship for the Trojans. * A 23-14 Michigan win in 1967 that helped the Wolverines win the national championship. * A 24-14 Michigan win in 1979 that kept the Wolverines undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country. * A 32-18 Michigan win in the 2007 Rose Bowl.

What to expect in this year's game

This year's game is expected to be a close one. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 and have a lot of talent. Michigan is a slight favorite, but USC has the home-field advantage. The key to the game will be the play of the quarterbacks. McNamara and Williams are both talented passers, and they will need to be at their best to lead their teams to victory. The running game will also be important. Corum and Dye are both explosive backs who can make big plays. The team that can control the line of scrimmage and establish the running game will have a big advantage. The defense will also play a key role in this game. Both teams have talented defenses, and they will need to be at their best to stop the opposing offense. The Michigan-USC game is always a special event, and this year's game is sure to be no different. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 and have a lot of talent. The game is expected to be a close one, and it could go either way.