Week 2 in Big Ten football already has the feel of a shake-up, with several results set to push the conference into a very different conversation than the one that opened the season. USC looks positioned to come out clean, but around the league, there are plenty of spots where the Big Ten could take a hit.
Jayden Maiava is the quarterback to watch, and the USC signal-caller looks ready to keep rolling after a huge Week 1. He has been sharp from the jump, and the way the young Trojan receivers are building confidence is opening things up even more.
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt’s elite catch against the Bulldogs stood out, and it fits the bigger picture: Maiava is trusting his playmakers to go get the ball. That should lead to another strong day, enough to make him the conference’s top quarterback performance for the week.
He has won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week two straight times, and another one feels on the way.
At the same time, Week 2 could bring a harsh turning point for Bryce Underwood. There is already plenty of doubt around him after the opener, and even with the hail mary that should not have counted, the overall showing did not move the needle much.
Kyle Whittingham is focused on winning, and the recent press conferences have not suggested he is especially locked in on Underwood. Oklahoma is expected to add more pressure, just as it did last season, and after a loss and a rough performance, Underwood is projected to get benched.
The biggest national hit for the league could come from the top. Ohio State heads into a road game against Texas, and the Buckeyes are walking into one of the toughest matchups on the schedule.
Texas matches Ohio State talent for talent, and the last time these teams met, the game stayed close for most of the night. Arch Manning has more experience now and more talent than he did then, which is why the Longhorns are the pick here.
Early in the season is the best time to catch Ohio State, and a loss would knock the Buckeyes out of the top spot in the Big Ten standings.
Oregon also has a chance to make some noise after taking heat for its slow start last week. Against Oklahoma State, the Ducks are expected to look every bit like a team capable of winning it all.
Dante Moore and the Oregon offense should be able to score freely, and this time the Ducks are supposed to keep the pressure on for all four quarters. Drew Mestemaker had trouble against Tulsa, and the matchup with Oregon figures to make him look even more ordinary.
The Ducks are projected to win big.
And then there is the upset special. Nebraska escaped last week, but not in convincing fashion, and that makes the Cornhuskers vulnerable heading into a matchup with Bowling Green.
The Michigan Wolverines got the break of a lifetime last week, and now Nebraska is the team that could end up paying for it. Bowling Green is expected to go on the road and spring the surprise, with Jay Kastantin and the offense bouncing back in a major way.
In this view, the MAC gets the upset it has coming.
In Other News...
USC's Defensive Line Is Rising And Jide Abasiri Is A Big Reason
Jide Abasiris rise has become one of the quieter but more important developments for USCs defense this season. The junior defensive lineman has shown steady progression, earned a leadership role and was named a team captain, a sign of how much trust the Trojans have placed in him. Lincoln Riley has praised Abasiris versatility and strength, and the impact he can have on opposing offenses, which matters for a unit that is still trying to establish itself as a consistent force.
For USC, Abasiris emergence is about more than early-game production. It speaks to a defensive front that is getting better with players who keep building on what theyve shown, and to a veteran presence who is still pushing for more. Abasiri has already given the Trojans meaningful snaps and value up front, and the next question is how much more he can add as the season moves along. [Read more 🡒]
USC May Need To Rethink One Freshman Backs Role
Deshonne Redeaux has only flashed in limited action so far, but the freshman running back has already given USC enough to think about. In two games, he has turned 4 carries into 33 yards and a touchdown, a small sample that still hints at why the Trojans have liked his speed and playmaking ability since he arrived.
For a backfield that values depth, Redeaux looks like the kind of player who could earn a larger role if the staff keeps looking for more juice in the run game. He is still early in his college career, and USC appears to view him as part of the long-term rotation, but the way he has handled his chances raises a familiar question for a young offense: how long can a useful weapon stay in a limited lane before the Trojans find a way to use him more? [Read more 🡒]
USC Has A Chance To Build Serious Momentum With Key Recruit
With one more non-conference game left before the schedule tightens, USC will have a notable recruiting visitor on hand at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Three-star 2028 running back Malaki Davis of Corona Centennial is expected to be in attendance for the matchup with Louisiana, giving the Trojans another chance to make an impression on a prospect they already view as a top target.
Davis has USC sitting as the frontrunner in his recruitment, and the visit comes as the staff continues to build early momentum in the 2028 class. Quarterback Trey Wright is already committed, and the Trojans are pushing for more offensive talent around him, with Davis also planning additional stops, including a trip for the Ohio State game. [Read more 🡒]