USC heads into Saturday’s matchup with No. 9 Indiana facing more than just a ranked opponent. For the second straight week, the Trojans won’t know who they’re preparing for at quarterback.
That was the case against Ohio State, when Ryan Day held back his starter before USC rolled to a 30-18 upset of the then-No. 2 Buckeyes. Now Indiana coach Curt Cignetti is taking the same approach, leaving the Hoosiers’ quarterback decision unresolved heading into the game.
For Lincoln Riley, that uncertainty is part of the challenge - and part of the opportunity.
“It’s an attitude; it’s a program culture thing,” said head coach Lincoln Riley, whose Trojans (7-2 overall, 4-2 Big Ten) were ranked 18th in the latest College Football Playoff poll. “Do you let the outside world or things that are out of our control overly affect how you play? Or do you just have a standard of play that you expect to do, no matter who you play against or no matter who’s the quarterback?”
Indiana’s choice comes down to Josh Hoover, the original starter, and sixth-year player Grant Wilson. Hoover has been dealing with an injury to his throwing arm since Oct. 17 against Ohio State, and Wilson took over the following week in the second half of an overtime win against Minnesota.
Hoover was not listed on Thursday’s Big Ten availability report, and Cignetti still wouldn’t reveal the starter on Monday.
“We’ll see how the week plays out, and we’ll see who we trust out there,” he said.
The Trojans can view the situation as a defensive advantage. Preparing for the Hoosiers’ system without knowing which quarterback will be under center changes the way USC has to study the game, and it could also disrupt Indiana’s offensive rhythm.
USC is also dealing with its own larger picture. The Trojans are still in a tricky spot in the CFP rankings, projected by analysts for a bowl game at the moment, though a strong finish could open the door to a playoff run.
“It’s honestly just embracing the situation and embracing the fact that no matter who trots out there, we need to go play well,” Riley said. “We need to embrace the challenge of not knowing and then I think you’ve also got to understand that also provides some advantages for us, too.”
When Indiana has the ball, the Hoosiers will likely lean on their downfield threats, Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh, who average 97.2 and 74.3 yards per game, respectively. Wilson brings more to the run game than Hoover, but Indiana’s ground plan is also complicated by the status of leading running back Turbo Richard, who is listed as “out” on the Big Ten availability report.
Lee Beebe Jr. remains the other major piece of the rushing attack, averaging 79.4 yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry. But Indiana has also been stuck in a stretch of lower output, scoring 16 points or fewer in each of its last three games against No.
20 Ohio State, Michigan and Minnesota. The games against Michigan and Minnesota both went to overtime.
That sets up a defense-first test for USC, which should try to pressure the Hoosiers early, especially up front, against a run game that is missing a key piece and a quarterback situation that is either unsettled or inexperienced.
On the other side, USC’s offense has found its rhythm through Jayden Maiava’s short and intermediate passing game. Trent Mosley, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and tight end Mark Bowman - all freshmen - have turned quick throws into bigger gains.
The Trojans have also been sharp on third down, converting 49.5% of those chances.
Indiana’s defense brings its own problems. It ranks fourth in the Big Ten against the pass at 183.7 yards allowed per game and leads the conference against the run, giving up just 75.6 yards per game.
Linebacker and second-leading tackler Rolijah Hardy is listed as questionable on the Big Ten availability report, but the Hoosiers still have a disruptive force in defensive lineman Tobi Osunsanmi, who has 15.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
Indiana will try to squeeze USC’s run game early and make Maiava carry more of the load. That won’t be easy if the Trojans’ offensive line continues to hold up the way it has, with just 13 sacks allowed in nine games.
No. 18 USC (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten) at No. 9 Indiana (8-1, 5-1)
TV/Radio: CBS (Ch. 2)/710 AM
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