USC vs. Michigan State Preview

USC vs. Michigan State Preview: The Trojans’ Next Test in Becoming “Complete” 

By Jason Burrell — South Bay Black Journal LOS ANGELES, 

The Trojans are 3–0 and ranked No. 25 in the AP poll. Michigan State is also 3–0, bringing head coach Jonathan Smith back to the West Coast. On Saturday night at the Coliseum (8:05 p.m. PT, FOX), USC plays its first Big Ten home game. For Lincoln Riley, it’s more than a scoreboard test; it’s a chance to show the Trojans are evolving into a complete team. “Sometimes football is boring,” Riley said Tuesday at practice. “The best teams do the same thing, over and over, until it’s who they are.” That’s the point of USC’s new “Trojan Period” at practice, a surprise block of good-on-good reps designed to emphasize physicality and finishing. The payoff was clear at Purdue, where USC survived rain, delays, and a hostile crowd to win ugly. Now comes a different test: staying patient through an 8 p.m. kickoff, managing key injuries, and facing a Spartan program built on resilience. 

Where USC Stands: 

Quarterback Jaden Maiava has thrown for 965 yards and 6 TDs with no interceptions, leading the nation in yards per attempt. His discipline, throwing the ball away instead of forcing plays, is his biggest stat. Defense:Safety Bishop Fitzgerald leads the Big Ten with 3 interceptions in 3 games. The defense is generating pressure (5 sacks at Purdue) but is still ironing out penalties. Injuries: CB Jason Johnson (knee) is out for the season. WR Zack Williams is sidelined for “a few weeks.” Riley said depth will be tested. Identity shift: USC is leaning on 12 personnel, with TE Lake McRee helping balance the offense. The running game, powered by Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders, closed out the win at Purdue. 

*** 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends, two wide receivers,  a versatile look that keeps defenses guessing between run and pass)

Toughness and Situational Football 

For all the talk about tempo and explosiveness, this game will be decided by toughness, the kind that shows up at the line of scrimmage. USC’s rebuilt offensive line and deep running back rotation will face a Michigan State front that has made stopping the run its signature. The Spartans pride themselves on imposing their will, forcing opponents into third-and-long, and dictating drives. “It starts with their front,” Riley said. “They’ve made life tough on a lot of people.” For USC, the counterpunch is situational football, turning second-and-medium into manageable third downs and converting them. That’s why Riley was brought to Los Angeles, and why he’s paid like an elite coach: not just to call pretty plays, but to win games like this with his adjustments and his ability to deliver on the must-have downs. 

Three Things That Decide It 

• Red zone math: USC flipped Purdue with two red-zone takeaways. Can the Trojans do it again against Aidan Chiles? 

• Third down: USC’s offense ranks top-5 nationally in conversions; the defense has climbed into the top-25. Sustaining both sides makes the Trojans complete. 

• Late-game temperament: The 8 p.m. kickoff means a long wait. Riley says the new schedule, sleep emphasis, and Trojan Period prepare USC to “finish” even in awkward rhythms. 

“This isn’t about scoring 40. It’s about proving we can finish drives, own the clock, and close games the right way.” — Riley

History and Context 

USC has not been 4–0 since 2022, when they opened 6–0 before falling 43–42 to Utah. Series record: USC and Michigan State are tied 4–4 all-time. Last meeting: 1990 John Hancock Bowl, a 17–16 Spartans win. First Coliseum visit: Michigan State hasn’t played in Los Angeles since 1978. 

Prediction USC 34, Michigan State 24. The Trojans’ depth at receiver and running back outweighs Michigan State’s injury-depleted offense. Expect a competitive first half before USC’s run game and ball-hawking secondary stretch the margin