With the second bye behind them and USC’s season at a crossroads, Lincoln Riley has spent the higher a part of two weeks focusing his crew on what’s in entrance of them — a stretch of three winnable video games — and never behind them — a demoralizing defeat at Notre Dame.
In doing so, the Trojans coach borrowed a well-worn rallying cry, one which traces again 2,000 years. Riley instructed his crew, they needed to “burn the boats.”
“We’ve put ourselves in great position, and we’ve got to be a really forward-focused team right now,” Riley stated. “Things can get pretty fun from here if you really get on a run. This team is capable of that. They know it. We know it.”
Contemplating the stakes, it’s an apt sufficient metaphor. Any hope of USC staying alive within the Faculty Soccer Playoff dialog hinges on leaving Lincoln, Neb., with a win. And that can, on the very least, require presenting a a lot better product than earlier than the bye, when USC’s protection gave up over 300 yards on the bottom to Notre Dame.
That loss has left a notably bitter style with the Trojans — particularly on protection. This week, sophomore linebacker Jadyn Walker stated he felt the group “didn’t come out ready to play” and wasn’t “hungry” sufficient in opposition to Notre Dame. Defensive sort out Jide Abasiri stated fixing USC’s points on protection meant “having our minds right.” For the second time in three weeks, USC returned to the fundamentals on protection through the bye in an effort to iron out these points.
“You study for a test, you’re not gonna be nervous,” Abasiri stated. “Just keep studying, I guess.”
The time for learning is over. The ultimate examination for USC and its protection is a five-game gauntlet, beginning on the highway in one of many Large Ten’s extra hostile environments. It’s simply as a lot a vital take a look at for the crew as its coach, who has received simply two true highway video games — at Purdue and at UCLA — over the last two calendar years.
“We continue to put ourselves in position to win these, and I feel like we’re doing the things on a daily basis that ultimately lead to winning,” Riley stated. “We’re here and we’re pushing that notion, and I just see us getting closer and closer to that as we go on. That’s where my confidence is.”
Right here’s what you must look ahead to when No. 23 USC (5-2 total, 3-1 Large Ten) faces Nebraska (6-2, 3-2) on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PDT (NBC, Peacock).
A heavy dose of Emmett Johnson
Nebraska operating again Emmett Johnson carries the ball in opposition to Northwestern on Oct. 25.
(Bonnie Ryan / Related Press)
After watching Notre Dame’s duo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Worth steamroll USC’s defensive entrance, Nebraska offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen absolutely smells blood within the water. In Emmett Johnson, he has one of many Large Ten’s greatest backs, a bruising tackle-breaker who has turn out to be a much bigger a part of the Husker offense because the season has worn on.
He’ll little doubt be an enormous a part of the plans for Holgorsen, who is aware of Riley higher than most some other coach in school soccer, save possibly his brother, Garrett, at Clemson. Presumably, Holgorsen will hope to maintain the ball out of USC’s fingers, grinding out lengthy drives with Johnson.
“We set ourselves up the rest of the season to see a lot of run game,” security Bishop Fitzgerald stated. “This week, making sure we can stop that will be huge for us.”
Johnson isn’t straightforward to deliver down. His 44 missed tackles pressured, per PFF, ranks third within the Energy 4 amongst operating backs.
“He runs really hard,” Fitzgerald stated. “He’s usually always going to break the first tackle. He just plays with an edge. He’s not necessarily a blazer, but once he hits that edge, he can make a guy miss and he can get a lot of yards. So I think it’s about stopping him and surrounding the ball.”
It’s simply that straightforward. Or possibly not.
Choose up the strain 
USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn stands on the sideline through the third quarter of a win over Michigan State on Sept. 20.
(Luke Hales / Getty Photos)
USC led the nation in sacks by means of the primary month of the season. However in each of the Trojans’ losses, the move rush — or lack thereof — was a part of the issue. After producing 24 pressures in a win over Michigan State, USC tallied simply 25 in its subsequent three video games mixed.
Nebraska presents a golden alternative to get that proper. The Huskers have allowed 26 sacks, second-most within the Large Ten.
“I do think we’ve shown growth and we’ve gotten better,” defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn stated of the move rush. “But we’re not satisfied.”
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola has been sharper this season than when he got here to the Coliseum in 2024. His completion price is up nearly 6%, and he already has 17 passing touchdowns, in comparison with simply 13 final season.
However Raiola tends to carry the ball too lengthy. At occasions, that has paid off with huge performs. Different occasions, it has derailed drives.
“It puts a lot of pressure on us,” Lynn stated. “When he’s holding onto the ball, he’s not looking to scramble. He’s keeping his eyes downfield.”
The important thing to counteracting that for USC? Placing as a lot strain on him as doable.
One thing has gotta give
USC has the highest passing offense within the nation, averaging 10 yards per try and 326 yards per sport. Nebraska boasts one of many nation’s greatest move defenses, with only one opposing quarterback even reaching the 160-yard mark in opposition to them.
The Huskers have but to face a quarterback fairly like Jayden Maiava. Maiava’s first begin at USC got here final season in opposition to Nebraska, and he has improved leaps and bounds since — notably in his skill to keep away from crippling errors.
That’ll be at a premium in opposition to a Nebraska protection that has swallowed up quarterbacks this season.
“He’s making a lot of right decisions right now,” Riley stated this week of Maiava. “If he keeps doing that, we’re going to have a chance to win every game.”
