3-3 (1-3) USC at MARYLAND 3-3 (0-3)

Saturday, 1 p.m. PT, SECU Stadium, College Park, Md., FS1/710 AM

Current Line: USC by 7½

Luca Evans (OC Register)  —  Notable injuries

USC: OUT: LB Eric Gentry (concussions, season), DL Anthony Lucas (leg, season), DL Bear Alexander (redshirt, season); QUESTIONABLE: TE Lake McRee (leg), TE Walker Lyons (undisclosed), DL Gavin Meyer (undisclosed), CB Jacobe Covington (undisclosed)

Maryland: N/A

What’s at stake? It’s outlandish to say, but maybe Lincoln Riley’s reputation in the eyes of USC’s fans? USC’s once-ballyhooed head coach is 5-8 in his last 13 games coaching the Trojans, and a host of impatient fans – despite a roughly 0% chance he’s removed – have turned up the fire under his seat. To Riley’s credit, he’s largely faced criticism head-on after a tough overtime loss last Saturday to Penn State, emphasizing any of the program’s struggles fall on his shoulders.

That wouldn’t quite be a good look, though, if USC flies across the country and is promptly stifled by Maryland, similar to how Minnesota tested the Trojans a couple of weeks back. A loss this weekend would seal a 3-4 record, a continued slide at the bottom of the Big Ten standings and an ever-intensifying conversation about the future of the program under Riley that can’t be wiped away by good locker-room vibrations.

Who’s better? USC. But this Maryland team shouldn’t be underestimated, by any measure. These Terrapins handedly beat a decent Virginia (4-2) program, are hardly afraid to air it out, and boast a secondary prone to big plays.

Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. ranks fifth in the country and first in the Big Ten in completions through six games (156, and has hit on 68% of his attempts). Wide receiver Tai Felton is in the midst of a true breakout campaign, ranking fourth in the country in yards (719). USC is more multifaceted on offense and boasts more playmaking depth on defense, but season-ending injuries to Gentry and Lucas hurt here, with the Trojans suddenly forced to rely on a swath of young talent for key reps Saturday.

Matchup to watch: USC’s secondary and cornerbacks vs. the Edwards Jr.-Felton connection. USC was just shredded a week ago by Penn State tight end Tyler Warren in a record-breaking performance – 17 catches for 228 yards – and now will face another receiver who carries a large burden of his program’s offensive output. If Covington is cleared after missing last week’s game against Penn State, that will help; more widely, this will serve as a test for defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn and secondary coach Doug Belk’s ability to shut down the focal point of a passing game.

USC wins if: The pass-rush can generate any sort of pressure on a porous set of Maryland tackles and make Edwards Jr. uncomfortable … true freshmen like Desman Stephens II and Kameryn Fountain step up in likely increased snaps … Miller Moss plays mistake-free against an aggressive Maryland secondary.

Prediction: USC 38, Maryland 24. USC desperately needs to rediscover consistent offensive rhythm and finish games behind Riley. Here’s betting it happens in College Park.

ocregister.com

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