USC's Mark Bowman and Jide Abasiri questionable for Wisconsin as linemen return

Even after a bye week, USC still doesn't know if it will have two of its most important players for Saturday night's trip to Camp Randall. Wednesday's first Big Ten availability report lists freshman tight end Mark Bowman and defensive tackle Jide Abasiri as questionable against Wisconsin, according to USC Trojans On SI. Freshman receiver Luc Weaver is also questionable. It is the first time he has appeared on the report this season.

The offensive line news is better. Left tackle Elijah Paige and guard Hayden Treter were both left off the report, which means they are cleared to play, On3 and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Paige missed the Penn State game. Treter has missed the last two.

Bowman, a former five-star recruit from Mater Dei, missed the wins over Washington and Penn State with an undisclosed injury. He started the team's first five games and is second on the team with 21 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns. On3 noted that USC's run game has missed his blocking as much as his receiving. Abasiri is the anchor of the defensive front. He left the Washington game with a leg injury and played only one snap at Penn State.

The Trojans already know they will be without receivers Terrell Anderson and Corey Simms, safety Kendarius Reddick, linebackers Taylor "Taybo" Johnson and Roman Marchetti, and offensive lineman Kilian O'Connor. Defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart and linebacker Jadyn Walker are listed as probable.

Wisconsin has injury questions of its own. The Journal Sentinel reported that cornerback Javan Robinson, the Badgers' top corner, and receiver Malachi Coleman are questionable. Cornerback Cai Bates is out, running back Nate Palmer is doubtful, and center Austin Kawecki is probable as he works back from a hand injury.

What it means for Saturday

No. 16 USC (6-1) comes out of the bye off two straight one-score wins: 25-21 over Washington and 31-23 in the whiteout at Penn State. The only loss was 41-27 to Oregon. The defense has allowed at least 21 points in each of its last four games, which is why Abasiri's status matters. Quarterback Jayden Maiava leads the Big Ten in passing with 2,045 yards and 18 touchdowns. Badgers coach Luke Fickell told USC Trojans On SI that Maiava has "a lot of trust in the wideouts, and for a good reason."

Wisconsin (4-2) won 24-20 at Penn State and beat Michigan State 31-3. Its last game, though, was a 17-7 loss at UCLA in which the offense did little. Both teams won at Beaver Stadium this month, and that is the only common result.

USC is favored on the board for this game, which tracks 11 venues. Novig has the Trojans at -138 on the moneyline and Wisconsin at +130. theScore Bet has the best Wisconsin price at +135. On the spread, Novig has USC at -2.5 (-117). Pinnacle gives the Badgers the full field goal at +3 (-109), while USC Trojans On SI reported DraftKings with USC as a three-point favorite. The total is 50.5 on Novig and 49.5 at Pinnacle. Across the venues, prices differ by a half point on the spread, a point on the total and a few cents on the underdog moneyline. Sportsbook hold runs from 3.0% to 7.0% across the three markets.

Kickoff is 4:30 p.m. PT on NBC. More availability reports are due before Saturday and should settle the status of Bowman and Abasiri.