USC heads into Week 11 with the kind of game this program has been waiting for, a meaningful stretch run with a real shot at the College Football Playoff still on the table. Lincoln Riley and the Trojans have the opportunity in front of them against Indiana. Now it comes down to whether they rise to it.
The Trojans’ offense should lean on the pass, but that air attack can also create room for the ground game to matter. King Miller is the back who can take advantage.
He’s a young, physical runner, and the expectation here is that he handles the moment well. The projection is more than 80 rushing yards, a touchdown, and the kind of production that makes him the game’s top running back by the end of the night.
Trent Mosley looks like the other USC player who can tilt the field. He was the Trojans’ leading receiver in the last game, piling up 101 yards and a touchdown right away.
That kind of burst is the standard for what’s expected again here: another 100-yard outing, another highlight touchdown, and the explosive plays USC will need to keep the pressure on Indiana. There’s also a chance he adds 1 or 2 40+ yard returns in the punt return game.
The freshmen could keep making noise, too. Mark Bowman and Trent Mosley were USC’s biggest stars in Week 9, and this matchup is supposed to bring another round of young contributors stepping forward.
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt is expected to make a few big plays, while Luke Wafle should come away with at least one sack. If that keeps happening, it says plenty about what this roster could become in the next few years.
Up front, Jide Abasiri is another name to watch. He is good to go, and the expectation is that he looks dominant again after a strong start to the year.
USC will need that kind of force to deal with Indiana’s physical offense. Abasiri and Jahkeem Stewart have to win their battles if the Trojans are going to slow the Hoosiers’ run game.
The forecast here is a couple of tackles for loss and a sack for Abasiri, the sort of performance that could help push USC to the upset.
And then there’s Gary Patterson, whose defensive work against Ohio State already stood out. USC’s defense made Luke Fahey uncomfortable, and the Buckeyes’ offense never got going.
This is the kind of game where Patterson has to do it again. The Trojans need him to call the perfect game and get the most out of his defense on the road.
If he does, it adds another strong chapter to his legacy. Having Patterson’s best games come against Ohio State and Indiana would be money well spent for USC.
In Other News...
Lincoln Riley Just Put USC Fans On Notice About Jonas Williams
Lincoln Rileys latest comments on Jonas Williams offered a little more clarity on where USCs quarterback future could be headed. The true freshman has been developing behind the scenes, and Riley pointed to noticeable improvement, especially after backup quarterback Sam Huard returned from injury and the room got a little more competition and structure around it.
For Trojan fans, the bigger takeaway is what Riley said about Williams long-term ceiling. With Jayden Maiava currently in place, the conversation is naturally about what comes next, and Riley sounded encouraged enough to suggest Williams could be in that mix down the road. It also fits the broader pattern around Rileys track record with quarterback recruiting at USC, where every development in the room tends to draw extra attention because the stakes are always so high. [Read more 🡒]
USCs Injury Problems Could Change Everything Against Indiana
USC heads into Week 11 carrying the kind of injury uncertainty that can reshape a game plan before kickoff, and the Trojans may have to lean on youth in spots they probably did not expect this late in the season. Freshman running back Shahn Alston and wide receiver Ethan Feaster are among the younger players whose roles could grow, giving USC a chance to find help from players who have already flashed enough to keep the staff interested.
Indiana brings a defensive front that can make life difficult and a rushing attack that forces opponents to answer in kind, so this matchup could come down to how well USC handles the physical side of the game. If the Trojans are going to stay balanced, they may need more bodies involved in the front seven and a steadier ground approach than usual, which makes the availability of key pieces even more important as game day approaches. [Read more 🡒]
USC Faces One Big Concern Before Massive Indiana Showdown
Two weeks after their statement win over Ohio State, the No. 18 Trojans are heading into one of the biggest games of their first Big Ten season, a road matchup with No. 9 Indiana that carries real weight in the conference race and the College Football Playoff picture. Both teams have had extra time to get ready, and USC knows this trip will demand another sharp performance against a Hoosiers team that has been hard to shake and is still trying to clean up some inconsistency from recent close calls.
The matchup also puts a spotlight on Jayden Maiava, who will be asked to navigate an Indiana defense that has helped make the Hoosiers a tough out. The betting market leans toward Indiana by 8.5 points, which tells you plenty about the challenge ahead for USC, even after the momentum built from beating Ohio State. [Read more 🡒]