USC out to prove it’s tough enough to succeed in Big Ten with visit to Michigan

LOS ANGELES — It may only be two games into the season, but so far, No. 12 Southern California looks like it changed almost every narrative from the preseason.

How do they replace Caleb Williams? Miller Moss has looked like another solidified quarterback that could work his way into the Heisman conversation.

The defense that couldn’t stop anyone last season? It limited LSU to 20 points and didn’t allow Utah State to score for its first shutout since 2011.

A team not really in the mix for a Big Ten title and College Football Playoff spot? That may change this weekend.

USC will officially debut as a member of the Big Ten with its first conference game on Saturday. The team welcoming them will be the defending champion Michigan, which invites itsr new California member to the The Big House, a place where more than 110,000 thousand people will be preparing to give them a rude awakening.

Two of the most historic programs in college football, the Trojans and Wolverines appear to be headed in opposite directions. Southern California has sudden faith it can get back into the national spotlight and a consistent top 10 team, while Michigan – coming off a national championship – lost several key players, has a new coach and is awaiting the penalties stemming from its sign-stealing scandal. Not to mention it’s coming off a drubbing from Texas and an offense that hasn’t given much hope for a repeat season. The Wolverines are also making a quarterback change with run-first Alex Orji making his first career start.

Even if Michigan doesn’t resemble the team that went a perfect 15-0 last season, the Trojans appear to be treating them as still the class of the conference. USC coach Lincoln Riley said last week Michigan’s 19-point loss to the Longhorns was a lot closer than the scoreboard indicated. This week, he added…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/usc-prove-tough-enough-succeed-113141456.html

Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2024-09-20 11:31:41

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