Oct 32 min read

USC Aims for Strong Conference Win Against Minnesota

As the No. 11 USC Trojans (3-1, 1-1) prepare to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-3, 0-2) in a critical Big Ten Conference showdown at 7:30 p.m. EST on Oct. 5, both teams have much to prove. Eager to maintain momentum after their recent win over Wisconsin (2-2, 0-1), the Trojans must avoid another slow start against a Gophers team desperate to snap a two-game losing streak. With both squads aiming to solidify their positions in the conference, Saturday's matchup promises to be an important and consequential test.

The Stakes

For the Trojans, this game is all about staying focused on the present and not looking ahead to next week’s highly anticipated showdown against undefeated No. 7 Penn State (4-0, 1-0). USC needs to perform efficiently to maintain momentum and build confidence before the Nittany Lions head to Southern California. For the Golden Gophers, this game could be the turning point of their season. A victory would snap a two-game losing streak and provide much-needed relief. On the other hand, another loss would extend their skid to three and put further pressure on the program.

Key Players: Minnesota

Sophomore running back Darius Taylor has been the cornerstone of Minnesota’s offense, leading the team in rushing with 5 touchdowns and averaging an impressive 5.4 yards per carry. For the Gophers to have a shot at victory on Saturday, establishing a consistent ground game with Taylor will be essential. Defensively, Minnesota’s secondary faces a tall task against USC's explosive offense. Freshman safety Kerry Brown, who leads the Gophers with 2 interceptions, will need to step up and help contain the Trojans’ dynamic receiving corps. Containment of USC’s big play potential will likely depend on his performance.

Key Players: USC

The play of redshirt junior QB Miller Moss will be crucial to USC’s success on Saturday. He has started the season strong, completing 65.4 percent of his passes, with 8 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions. To ensure a victory, Moss will need to maintain that consistency. His connection with sophomore wide receivers Ja'Kobi Lane and Zachariah Branch is essential, especially after last week’s sluggish start. Both Lane and Branch must stay in sync with Moss to keep USC’s offense running smoothly.

Trends to Watch

The USC Trojans are potentially explosive, capable of scoring many points rapidly. However, they must avoid another slow start, as seen in last week’s game against Wisconsin and the week before in the loss to No. 10 Michigan (4-1, 2-0). Head coach Lincoln Riley must devise strategies to ignite the Trojans' offense early. If USC struggles to gain momentum, Minnesota could capitalize on the opportunity and pull off an upset. For Minnesota, a victory is crucial for building momentum. Winning this game would not only break their losing streak but also set them up for consecutive wins, as they face the beleaguered UCLA Bruins (1-3, 0-2) in their next matchup. The Golden Gophers need to seize this opportunity to regain confidence heading into the second half of the season.