All eyes will be on the Coliseum this weekend to see if USC football (4-1, 2-1 Big Ten) can bounce back with a win against No. 15 Michigan (4-1, 2-0). The Trojans have been trying to hit the reset button during their bye week after a last-minute 34-32 loss to No. 17 Illinois two weeks ago.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley met with the media on Friday and expressed his excitement to compete with a storied program like Michigan. He also anticipates a physical battle with the Wolverines and noted that urgency has been high amongst the defensive unit through the bye week.
“I think the guys wish the game was today,” Riley said. “They wish it was right now. They’re really, really ready to play.”
The Trojans have been bogged down this season by an undisciplined pass defense that allows 359.4 yards per game. Riley appears to see Saturday’s game as an opportunity to reclaim control of the season and settle back in, noting that as the season progresses, his job becomes “a game of responses.”
On the other side of the ball, USC has been working with a depleted offensive line after losing redshirt junior starting center Kilian O’Connor to injury in the first half against Illinois. Redshirt senior and Syracuse transfer J’Onre Reed has been filling in, but has faced some struggles, including committing an illegal man downfield penalty against the Illini that brought back what would have been a 75-yard touchdown reception for junior receiver Makai Lemon.
It is also unclear whether the Trojans will return redshirt sophomore left tackle Elijah Paige on Saturday. Paige has been working his way back from an injury sustained during USC’s matchup against Michigan State on Sept. 20. Paige’s potential absence could mean major minutes at the position for redshirt freshman Justin Tauanuu, who would slide over from right tackle. A potential challenge lies in how the variability of the lineup impacts the Trojans’ ability to play as one cohesive unit — a skill Tauanuu emphasized in practice Tuesday.
Saturday’s matchup will be a mental game for Riley, who acknowledged the depth and diversity of Michigan’s offensive weapons.
“There’s the schematic part of it,” he said. “But you’ve got to understand that … every play’s going to be a battle.”
Michigan boasts the conference’s top rusher (654 yards) in junior back Justice Haynes and an electric signal caller in true freshman Bryce Underwood.
USC redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava has a thrilling connection with Lemon, and the two continue to put up Big Ten leading numbers on offense. What remains to be seen is whether that high powered Trojan offense can negate the defensive mistakes that will likely make this matchup more competitive.
The two college football blue bloods begin battle Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at the Coliseum.