USC heads into its matchup with Wisconsin coming off a much-needed breather, and the Trojans are looking for the kind of reset that can change the tone of a season. They’ve had two weeks to rest, get healthy, and clean things up before the stretch run, and this feels like one of those games where USC has to show up looking sharper, faster, and a little more complete than it has at times this fall.
The problem, of course, is that Lincoln Riley’s USC teams have made a habit of doing things the hard way. The Trojans did grab a win at Penn State, which counts as real progress for a program that has had trouble winning Big Ten road games under Riley.
But that standard is still pretty low, and the picture gets murkier when you look at Penn State itself. The Nittany Lions lost to Michigan after losing to USC, and USC’s defense remains below average.
That opens the door for Wisconsin to treat this as a possible get-right spot on offense.
USC probably should be favored after the eight-point win in Happy Valley, but that doesn’t mean the Trojans are headed for a clean night. This has the feel of a close game, and even if USC comes out on top, it doesn’t sound like the kind of outing that unfolds smoothly without drama. That has not been the usual road experience for Riley’s teams.
The bye week arrived at a good time. USC had played seven straight weekends dating back to August 29, and that kind of run eventually catches up with any team.
The off week also gives the Trojans a chance to get key pieces back, with tight end Mark Bowman the most notable name likely to return for Wisconsin. Bowman offers downfield receiving upside, but his real value is already obvious in the run game and in the way he helps give the USC offense structure and balance.
The Trojans were missing that element while he was out.
Trent Mosley matters more overall, but Bowman comes right behind him in value to Jayden Maiava and the offense. There are also defensive players who may benefit from the extra time, but the offense is the side that stands to gain the most from getting back to full strength. USC’s defense is the weaker unit, so the biggest payoff from the break comes from letting the offense hit its ceiling.
That’s the bar now for USC: look refreshed, look recharged, and look like a team with more upside than it has shown so far. If the Trojans can win comfortably instead of grinding through another tense, messy finish, it would do a lot for the outlook heading into the defining stretch against Ohio State, Indiana, and UCLA.
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USC Defense Just Got A Boost It Desperately Needed
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Lincoln Riley has pointed to Newbys presence as something the team feels beyond the box score, especially on defense and special teams. For a USC group heading into the next stretch of games, getting that kind of energy and leadership back on the field matters almost as much as the physical boost, even if the full impact of his return is still unfolding. [Read more 🡒]
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USC Offense Faces One Mistake It Can't Afford Against Wisconsin
Wisconsins defense left a solid impression in its recent game against UCLA, limiting the Bruins to 17 points even with a backup quarterback in the lineup. For USC, that kind of performance is the reminder that this weekend is not just about matching up talent-for-talent, but about taking care of the ball and avoiding the kind of mistake that can tilt a game against a disciplined opponent.
The Badgers have enough on that side of the ball to make life difficult if USC gets loose with possession or tries to force plays that are not there. Against a defense that can stay organized and capitalize on errors, the Trojans will need cleaner execution than usual, because one turnover or one bad decision could be the difference in a game that already looks like it will demand patience and precision. [Read more 🡒]