NFL
By George Lopez
The USC Trojans look to go 2-0 in the BIG10 and make it 4 straight overall as they host the Michigan St. Spartans at the Coliseum this Saturday. The Spartans come into the game 3-0 and will look to continue their strong start to the season. This has the makings of being a high scoring game as both offenses have started the season off strong, as the Trojans have averaged 55 points per game and the Spartans have averaged 37 points per game.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava has started the season off strong, leading the Trojans offense. On the season, Maiava has passed 989 yards with 6 touchdowns while completing nearly 69% of his passes. A stat that head coach Lincoln Riley is very pleased that Maiava has 0 interceptions on the season. Maiava has shown that he has a good grasp of the game plans Coach Riley has implemented this season, and the offense has responded to his leadership. Maiava has the luxury of having one of the best WR duos in the country in Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane.
Lemon leads the team with 16 receptions for 311 yards. Lane complements Lemon with 9 receptions, averaging close to 27 yards per reception. Maiava does not just focus on Lemon and Lane, as he has completed passes to 13 different receivers this season. The Spartans pass coverage will look to contain the productivity of both Lemon and Lane. Maiava will look to continue to keep TE Lake McRee involved in the offense. McRee has given Maiava a good option running the seam routes.
During Pete Carroll’s run as coach at USC, RBs Reggie Bush and Lendale White formed a combination that was referred to as thunder and lightning. This season, the Trojans have a new version of thunder and lightning with Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders. Getting a bulk of the carries in the Trojans rushing attack, Jordan and Sanders have rushed for a combined 446 yards with 5 touchdowns.
Coach Riley has been able to keep Jordan and Sanders fresh as he has used 6 running backs this season. The Trojans have averaged 240 rushing yards per game and has allowed the offense to stay balanced. Look for Coach Riley to continue to use a balanced offensive attack against the Spartans defense.
Defensively, the Trojans have shown considerable improvement under 2nd year defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn. In their last game against Purdue, the Trojans defense faced a Boilermaker offense that was run-dominated. The Trojans were able to contain the Boilermakers rushing attack, holding them to 52 yards on 28 carries. Though Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne did pass for over 300 yards, the Trojans defense was able to intercept him 3 times, including 2 in the endzone.
The Trojans pass rush has come up big this season, with 14 sacks through the first 3 games. The Trojans will look to bring pressure on Spartans quarterback Aidan Chiles, who has been sacked 8 times in the first 3 games of the season. On the season, Chiles has completed 71.6% of his passes for 656 yards with 6 touchdowns and only 1 interception. The Trojans pass rush will need to be disciplined, as Chiles can tuck the ball and run. The Trojans edge rushers will look to keep outside containment, as the interior push rush will look to close the pocket around Chiles and force him off his spot.
Makhi Frazier is the Spartans leading ball carrier, rushing for 206 yards on 43 carries in the first 3 games. On the season, the Spartans have averaged 168 rushing yards per game. Coach Lynn and the Trojans defensive staff will look to contain the Spartans running game. The Trojans defensive staff will need to be mindful of the Spartans receivers. Leading the way are WRs Nick Marsh and Omari Kelly.
Marsh leads the team with 16 receptions and 3 touchdowns. Kelly complements Marsh with 15 receptions on the season. Chiles has completed passes to 10 different receivers, with Marsh and Kelly getting a bulk of the receptions. The Trojans pass coverage will look to limit the productivity of Marsh and Kelly.
The Trojans and Spartans enter this game looking to improve their record to 4-0. This game has the makings of being a high-scoring shootout. Do not look for this game to be as high-scoring as many expect. In the end, look for the Trojans to improve to 4-0 and 2-0 in the BIG10 as they come away with a hard-fought victory over the Spartans.
