USC Trojans

Los Angeles, California

Record: 5-2 (3-1 Big Ten)

Coach: Lincoln Riley (fourth season)

Point differential: +135 

Opponent Overview

In his fourth year with the Trojans, head coach Lincoln Riley will look to take down Nebraska in Lincoln. A win for No. 23 USC would clinch bowl eligibility for the fourth consecutive season.

The Trojans are fresh off a bye week. Before that, Riley’s squad fell to No. 12 Notre Dame 34-24. The Huskers anticipate a sellout crowd that will be dressed in all black for the evening kickoff. USC’s only two losses of the season have been on the road in hostile environments. 

Riley’s squad took down Nebraska in Los Angeles in 2024 with a score of 28-20. In that game, sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava got his first career start and put up 259 yards and three touchdowns.

Offense

The Trojans boast the nation’s top-ranked offense. They rank 23rd in the country in rushing offense, first in passing offense and total offense, seventh in third down offense and fifth in scoring offense. USC averages an astounding 530 total yards per game, compared to Nebraska’s 401.1 average. 

Maiava’s go-to target is junior receiver Makai Lemon. Lemon leads the conference in yards per game with 108.3 and is second in the Big Ten in receiving yards with 758, three yards below Rutgers’ KJ Duff. The Huskers counter the Trojans’ high-powered offense with the country’s second-best pass defense. Nebraska has held quarterbacks to an average of 127.5 passing yards per game.

The Trojans’ backfield consists of two major injuries. Both junior Waymond Jordan and senior Eli Sanders suffered season-ending injuries. Freshman running back King Miller stepped into the lead-back role. After having a career day against No. 15 Michigan, where he ran for 158 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown, Miller was contained to only 70 yards on 18 carries against the Fighting Irish. With the Huskers’ poor rushing defense, which is fresh off allowing 172 rushing yards to Northwestern, Miller will be a major factor in the offense on Saturday.

Defense

USC has a mediocre defense. It ranks near the middle of the Big Ten in every defensive category. The Trojans allow an average of 136.7 rushing yards (11th in Big Ten) and 228.3 passing yards (12th in Big Ten). 

The defense is coming off a game where they allowed over 300 rushing yards and only 136 passing yards to Notre Dame. Granted, the Fighting Irish have one of the nation’s best running backs in Jeremiyah Love, but the team posted over 100 more yards than their average per game. 

USC’s biggest bright spot on defense is its red zone defense. The Trojans rank second in the nation, allowing a touchdown in 59.1% of red zone trips. 

The front seven have gotten to the quarterback 21 times, sixth best in the conference and have caused 62 quarterback hurries, one less than Nebraska’s 63. 

Players to watch

Safety Bishop Fitzgerald – The senior ballhawk is the leader of the defense. Fitzgerald had five interceptions, one being a pick-six. He also adds two passes defended, a sack for 11 yards and has a team second-best 40 total tackles. Raiola has now thrown six interceptions in the last four games, so anything thrown near Fitzgerald will be in the danger zone.

Defensive tackle Devan Thompkins– The 6-foot-5 defensive tackle is the leader of the front seven, tallying three sacks and a team-high 11 quarterback hurries. Thompkins also adds a forced fumble, which came in the game against Michigan. The junior will be one of many on the defense to give the struggling Husker offensive line big issues. 

Running back King Miller – Miller is coming off back-to-back 18-carry games, along with two receptions each game. The freshman took over for the injured Waymond Jordan. It is highly anticipated that Miller will have an even larger workload, given the run defense struggles and the success of Nebraska’s secondary.

sports@dailynebraskan.com