The USC Trojans are not playing today. They’re getting another weekend off in Big Ten play, and their next game won’t come until next weekend against Indiana.
That matchup is set for 3:30 p.m. Eastern and 12:30 p.m.
Pacific on CBS.
USC’s last open week didn’t exactly lead to smooth sailing. After beating Penn State on October 10, the Trojans sat out Saturday, October 17, then returned on October 24 at Wisconsin and turned in a rough offensive showing in a 24-7 loss. Wisconsin managed only 58 passing yards in that game and still controlled USC.
Indiana may not be a team that piles up huge passing numbers either, especially with its quarterback situation not settled or ideal. But the Hoosiers, like Wisconsin, bring a defense that can cause problems.
That makes USC’s offensive line a major storyline heading into the matchup. It was a non-factor at Wisconsin, then bounced back in a big way against Ohio State.
The Trojans won that game 30-18, even though quarterback Jayden Maiava was not especially impressive. He was fine, but not special.
USC’s edge came from the offensive line, plus big after-the-catch plays from Trent Mosley and Mark Bowman on short passes from Maiava. The defense also did its part, coming up with multiple red-zone stops and forcing a lot of Buckeye field goals.
So USC is off again today, but this time the Trojans need to make better use of the break than they did back in October.
In Other News...
USC Baseball Mourns A Program Figure Fans Wont Forget
USC baseball is remembering Frank Sanchez, a longtime program figure whose impact stretched well beyond his years in Cardinal and Gold. Sanchez died Nov. 4 at 73 from complications related to a brain tumor, closing the book on a coaching career that included a decade as USCs lead assistant from 1987 to 1996 before he moved on to become head coach at Pepperdine.
For Trojans fans, Sanchez was part of an era that helped shape the programs identity, and his name carried weight in college baseball circles long after he left Los Angeles. He was recognized for his contributions to the sport and is survived by his family, leaving USC and the broader baseball community to reflect on a career that made a lasting mark. [Read more 🡒]
USC Just Got Pulled Into A Fascinating Arch Manning Debate
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That conversation picked up when NFL Network draft scout Daniel Jeremiah floated the idea that Texas quarterback Arch Manning could view USC as a landing spot if he ever entered the transfer portal. The reasoning is easy to follow from USCs side: the Trojans have playmakers around the position, and Riley has already built a reputation for developing quarterbacks. For now, it is only a possibility, not a decision, but it is the kind of speculation that keeps USC in the middle of every major quarterback debate. [Read more 🡒]
USC Volleyball Finally Got The Reset Trojans Fans Needed
After four straight losses, USC womens volleyball finally got the kind of reset it had been chasing, taking care of Rutgers in straight sets and looking much more like the team that had been missing in recent weeks. The Trojans were efficient from the start, hitting .351 with 42 kills and 12 blocks, a sharp contrast to Rutgers .133 attack and four blocks.
Mia Tvrdy, London Wijay and Adonia Faumuina were among the key pieces in a performance that gave USC a chance to breathe and regroup. For a team trying to stop a slide and steady itself, this was the sort of clean win that can matter beyond the box score, even if the real test is whether it carries over into what comes next. [Read more 🡒]