What’s at stake, injuries, who’s better, matchup to watch, TV info and prediction for Saturday at the Coliseum
WIS QB Braedyn Locke against ALA after starter Tyler Van Dyke was injured Sept. 14, 2024, in Madison, Wis., will start against USC on Saturday at the L.A. Coliseum. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Luca Evans (OC Register)
No. 13 USC vs Wisconsin,Saturday, 12:30 p.m.,Coliseum, TV/radio: CBS (Ch. 2)/710 AM
Records: USC is 2-1 overall, 0-1 Big Ten; Wisconsin is 2-1, 0-0 Big Ten
Line: USC by 15½
Notable injuries
USC: OUT: TE Lake McRee (leg); DOUBTFUL: WR Makai Lemon (undisclosed), DT Bear Alexander (redshirt); QUESTIONABLE: S Akili Arnold (undisclosed)
Wisconsin: OUT: QB Tyler Van Dyke (knee), DL James Thompson Jr. (upper body)
What’s at stake? In USC’s tightly produced “Only USC” mini-doc series, head coach Lincoln Riley was captured in the locker room preaching a message of moving forward after last Saturday’s hard-fought loss to Michigan.
“I bet you this,” Riley announced to his group. “I bet you we get better from this. I think we’re a pretty close group. I bet we even get a little closer after this.”
The Trojans will have the chance to show it Saturday in their Big Ten home opener, facing two key reminders of last year’s program that this 2024 team has so thoroughly moved on from. Alex Grinch, the defensive coordinator placed squarely on the chopping block for 2023’s defensive doldrums, will return to the Coliseum as Wisconsin’s safeties coach.
Tackett Curtis, so highly touted as a freshman starter at linebacker, will line up opposite his former roommate, USC left tackle Elijah Paige (72). It’s a fascinating matchup from a narrative standpoint, a chance for USC to channel the frustration of a loss to Michigan in a dominant exorcism of the ghosts of 2023 past.
Who’s better? USC.
Wisconsin looked like a potential test entering the season, a formidable Big Ten opponent a week after traveling to Ann Arbor, but the Badgers’ outlook dimmed significantly after Miami transfer quarterback Tyler Van Dyke tore his ACL in a 42-10 loss to Alabama on Sept. 14. Backup Braedyn Locke, a former Mississippi State transfer who has completed exactly half of his 178 attempts in seven games at Wisconsin, will start in Van Dyke’s place.
There’s still enough talent on this Badgers team to make the predicted spread seem drastic, particularly in a solid secondary that’s limited opposing attacks to an average of 160 yards through the air through three games. But Wisconsin’s offense has proved less-than-dynamic even with Van Dyke, averaging 4 yards per carry on the ground.
Matchup to watch: Riley vs. Grinch, because, well, let’s just have some fun here. There’s no ill will from Riley, as the head coach made clear Thursday, noting the “good times and great memories” he’d shared with Grinch dating to their days at Oklahoma.
But Grinch could take in a slice of extra motivation – and it will be fascinating, from an on-field perspective, to see how Wisconsin’s secondary adjusts to a Riley passing attack Grinch is all too familiar with.
“I still think the game comes down to players and who executes the best on Saturday afternoon,” Riley said when asked about the dynamic Thursday. “We’ve prepared hard, but we know it’ll be a good challenge going against defense that he’s obviously a part of.”
USC wins if: Quarterback Miller Moss (with Lincoln Riley after throwing pick six vs MICH) can generate a little more momentum in the screen game and in downfield shots, also hugely dependent on an improved offensive line performance. … USC gets out to an early two-touchdown lead after a slow start against Michigan. … USC can limit Wisconsin’s Will Pauling to a handful of catches, the only consistent pass-catching weapon through the early part of the Badgers’ season.
Prediction: USC 35, Wisconsin 21. The Badgers are gritty, and this doesn’t feel like a complete blowout. But expect USC to be in control through most all four quarters.
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Good to see USC make adjustments at the half and comeback to win. Not as dramatic as “The Comeback” vs Notre Dame in 1974 that I attended in the student section in my Sophomore year at USC, but it was similar in that USC pitched a shutout in the second half. Main concern I have for the next game is the weather. As I recall, the University of Minnesota has an outdoor stadium. It could be a bit chilly. My concerns when USC announced it was joining the BIG last year were the travel and playing in cold weather games.… Read more »
Ah, The Comeback Game in ‘74! My brother and I sat in my Dad’s faculty seats just above the Student Section. The atmosphere was electric! If I ever had any doubts about where I would attend college two years later, that afternoon put that question to rest.
Our O-Line is average at best and our receivers are not getting open. That’s why they drop so many balls.There’s always a defender hanging all over them to knock it away. Moss is having to thread the needle on every pass.The ones our receivers do catch is because they are just better natural athletes than the defenders.
Great 2nd half. I feel stunned after watching that. It would have been sick to lose to a team with Grinch coaching for the other team.
Now we need to start playing well in the 1st half.
FIGHT ON!
Z Branch cannot run routes where he has to jump for the ball, too short, stop it Moss/Riley. Easy money for Big 10 refs, don’t have to do anything, don’t even have to wash their flags after the game. Minnesota, 21 4th qtr points, but Michigan wins by the same score 2 weeks in a row.
Great come back win, we have coaches that can adjust at halftime. Riley actually ran the ball with 3 minutes to go. Maybe he’s learning.
They played like a playoff team in the second. Trying to win this way won’t work against better teams going forward, just like it failed against MICH, which barely beat 2-3 MINN today in the Big House.
It’s easy to play defense against this SC team. They are one dimensional and can’t run the ball nor block. I have never seen so many missed assignments by an OLine. They are going to score a O rating with this performance. Wow.
Riley didn’t even try to score with over a minute to play in the half throwing passes up the middle? No special teams and out coached. Riley is done as far as I’m concerned.
Both lines are getting manhandled. Couple that with mental mistakes, turnovers, and poor tackling, it’s a recipe for disaster. Welcome to big boy football USC, ugh.
I’m calling the blowout now. My worst fear is realized that this defense is reverting to old form – poor poor tackling. What a crapfest on “all three sides of the ball.”.
Wisconsin lost its starting QB…..and the starting DT is out. They are on the road a long way from home……
I don’t think I’ve seen a worse half of football by USC in a long long time.
Tackett Curtis, so highly touted as a freshman starter at linebacker, will line up opposite his former roommate, USC left tackle Elijah Paige (72). It’s a fascinating matchup from a narrative standpoint, a chance for USC to channel the frustration of a loss to Michigan in a dominant exorcism of the ghosts of 2023 past.
Matchup to watch: Riley vs. Grinch, because, well, let’s just have some fun here. There’s no ill will from Riley, as the head coach made clear Thursday, noting the “good times and great memories” he’d shared with Grinch dating to their days at Oklahoma.
USC wins if: Quarterback Miller Moss (with Lincoln Riley after throwing pick six vs MICH) can generate a little more momentum in the screen game and in downfield shots, also hugely dependent on an improved offensive line performance. … USC gets out to an early two-touchdown lead after a slow start against Michigan. … USC can limit Wisconsin’s Will Pauling to a handful of catches, the only consistent pass-catching weapon through the early part of the Badgers’ season.
Good to see USC make adjustments at the half and comeback to win. Not as dramatic as “The Comeback” vs Notre Dame in 1974 that I attended in the student section in my Sophomore year at USC, but it was similar in that USC pitched a shutout in the second half. Main concern I have for the next game is the weather. As I recall, the University of Minnesota has an outdoor stadium. It could be a bit chilly. My concerns when USC announced it was joining the BIG last year were the travel and playing in cold weather games.… Read more »
Ah, The Comeback Game in ‘74! My brother and I sat in my Dad’s faculty seats just above the Student Section. The atmosphere was electric! If I ever had any doubts about where I would attend college two years later, that afternoon put that question to rest.
Our O-Line is average at best and our receivers are not getting open. That’s why they drop so many balls.There’s always a defender hanging all over them to knock it away. Moss is having to thread the needle on every pass.The ones our receivers do catch is because they are just better natural athletes than the defenders.
Moss completed 30 of 45 passes for 308 yds, 3 TDs. I would like to know who had the drops?
Former USC DB Domani Jackson steals a nice pick against GA, which ALA leads 14-0 with three mins to go in the 1st Q.
Exciting win however our line is offensive….to Miller’s health
Great 2nd half. I feel stunned after watching that. It would have been sick to lose to a team with Grinch coaching for the other team.
Now we need to start playing well in the 1st half.
FIGHT ON!
Z Branch cannot run routes where he has to jump for the ball, too short, stop it Moss/Riley. Easy money for Big 10 refs, don’t have to do anything, don’t even have to wash their flags after the game. Minnesota, 21 4th qtr points, but Michigan wins by the same score 2 weeks in a row.
Great come back win, we have coaches that can adjust at halftime. Riley actually ran the ball with 3 minutes to go. Maybe he’s learning.
Turnovers are always such a big part of the game.
Once WIS fumbled the punt leading to a USC score and a suddenly re-energized Trojan squad, the Badgers were never the same.
WIS only had 82 total yds in the 2nd half.
SC plays like Jane in the first half and like Tarzan in the 2nd half. They need to play a complete game
True. USC stunk in the first half.
They played like a playoff team in the second. Trying to win this way won’t work against better teams going forward, just like it failed against MICH, which barely beat 2-3 MINN today in the Big House.
Riley hugged Curtis after the game too bad he jumped ship.
not sure he would be playing that much on this team
great 2nd half. great win. go bama!
Smashed them in 2nd half. Fight on!!!
That’s why there are two halves to play. I hope Utah hung in there for this half. This team tears our nerves for sure.
😁
Joiner knew where he was and dropped to his knees, a good play, which makes me wonder what changed?
accountability has become part of the culture of this team
This is a tough, resilient USC team, and they’ve shown it in every game.
Great 2nd half. 28 unanswered points ain’t bad. Shut Out City when it mattered and USC woke up.
Gawd! undisciplined players gets Wisconsin in good field position
hope coach lynn makes them run stadium steps this week
shitty KO coverage
Not sure what the rule is from that spot, but kicking it out of bounds might be a smart call.
receiving team ball at 35, unless the kick off goes out of bounds earlier than that
That’s an easy call from where we kick from. Just boot it out somewhere around the 35. I’m always good at making play calls after they happen.
😄
Now that was one great play!
Nice!
that is not targeting with all the other non calls today
I thought they were going to call that short.
i was suprised at how close it was
Maybe this is going to be our m.o., we scope the opponent out during the first half, make adjustments and win the game in the second half.
living dangerously!
Let’s go ahead and watch some film so we can scope them out prior to playing them. It would be nice to put together two halves.
nice drive.
moss is a tough kid
💯
ok that is your one screen pass lincoln
woody marks is tough.
Why does it take until the fourth-quarter for these guys to start showing up and playing football?
i did not know you were allowed to tackle that hard anymore
This is familiar territory we just need to keep our foot on the gas
It’s nice to have tall receivers. At least they’re not giving up.
USC — the greatest 3rd Q team in America!
We are still WR U!
El Duce!
great pass/catch!
by the head snap that should be targeting
flag on Wisky
Horrible 4th down call by WIS. Good to see.
yeah, whatever
stoned em!
Nothing new here. Ja’Kobi Lane is a freak!
Defense better follow up with a 3 and out.
Thank goodness Jacoby Lane came to play!
great catch by Lane
Wasted opportunity looming
It’s easy to play defense against this SC team. They are one dimensional and can’t run the ball nor block. I have never seen so many missed assignments by an OLine. They are going to score a O rating with this performance. Wow.
Another oley block by the blind side
Riley didn’t even try to score with over a minute to play in the half throwing passes up the middle? No special teams and out coached. Riley is done as far as I’m concerned.
If USC loses this game, LR is gonna face a sh*tstorm like he has never seen before.
Can anyone of us really imagine losing in L.A. to a totally mediocre team that took Alex Grinch off our hands?
I didn’t think that was even possible less than an hour ago.
Both lines are getting manhandled. Couple that with mental mistakes, turnovers, and poor tackling, it’s a recipe for disaster. Welcome to big boy football USC, ugh.
LR needs a kick in the ass for putting this crappy product on the field. He is getting $10M per year. He needs to produce. No excuses.
The way this team looks, bowl eligibility will be a struggle.
I’m calling the blowout now. My worst fear is realized that this defense is reverting to old form – poor poor tackling. What a crapfest on “all three sides of the ball.”.
Wisconsin lost its starting QB…..and the starting DT is out. They are on the road a long way from home……
I don’t think I’ve seen a worse half of football by USC in a long long time.
We are playing Pop Warner football and the refs aren’t our friends. It could be worse Ucla is in the Rose Bowl at 8pm.
our power will be cut off in next few minutes to repair Storm damage. I welcome not having to watch this crap..
freaking o-line can’t protect.
This team is pathetic. I’m so sick watching this shit. SC is too soft and unprepared to compete in the Big Ten. This game is proving that statement.
Our poor offensive line. Even WIS is mauling us.
2nd half should be very interesting.