Ann Arbor — There’s a theme among USC’s receivers this season that emerged earlier this year, including their quarterback, Miller Moss. It’s all about selflessness, the group’s rallying cry as the Trojans entered their first season as a Big Ten member.
It’s not an easy approach. Ultimately, everyone wants to have the ball and make the memorable plays – and USC’s offense has plenty of opportunity for those spectacular moments – but at the end of the day, it’s all about winning. This group says they agree on that point.
The Trojans (2-0), ranked 11th, had last weekend off and will face 18th-ranked Michigan (2-1) on Saturday at Michigan Stadium in their first conference game as a Big Ten member. USC, favored against the Wolverines, pulled off an upset win in its neutral-site opener against LSU and then beat Utah State 48-0. The Trojans’ offense, led by Moss, ranks 16th nationally in total offense (495.5 yards) and seventh in passing offense (336.5 yards).
“I just think they distribute the ball really well,” Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan said this week. “I think they have the bigger receivers on the outside, (and) the tight end does a good job. When you lock up the guys on the outside, him in the middle, (Moss) just distributes the ball well.”
“The quarterback has kind of been waiting for his chance. I think he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the country, seriously. I think when you watch his video, you see what he does, the placement. He’s on the back foot when he gets hit and the ball is right there. Anyone who plays against him this year is going to see a quarterback who is ready for the challenge and has been prepared. He’s one of the best players in their offense, without a doubt.”
Moss took over USC’s bowl game last season after Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, opted out. In the Holiday Bowl, Moss threw a bowl-record six touchdown passes in his first collegiate start in a 42-28 win over No. 16 Louisville.
For the second time in three weeks, defending national champion Michigan is the underdog, and the Wolverines have already suffered a loss to then-No. 3 Texas when they were ranked No. 10. Since that loss, they improved their record to 2-1 with a win over Arkansas State last weekend, but this game against USC will likely reveal a lot about this Michigan team and the direction it will take this season.
Alex Orji will start at quarterback and see if he can breathe some life into a Michigan offense that has struggled in its first three games due to seven turnovers, including six interceptions by Davis Warren. And while Orji’s debut will turn heads, so will Moss in his first Big Ten road game. What challenge will he and the USC receivers present to Michigan? How can Michigan, which ranks 90th in passing yards allowed (234.3 yards per game), handle the various weapons? Morgan is confident the Wolverines will be ready.
“When you’re at Michigan, the (offensive coordinators) you play against every week are some of the best in the country,” Morgan said. “(USC coach) Lincoln Riley has been doing this for a long time. I know you all always see him on the sideline. He has the shortest play list. He can make a lot of variations. I think what he does really well is get the ball in the hands of his playmaker. He knows he sees every coverage you do, he knows what he needs to get to, (and) if you change it up, he’ll go back there. He runs replays.”
Michigan’s top cornerback Will Johnson is well known on opposing offenses, and USC receiver Zachariah Branch mentioned him to reporters this week as someone who stood out when watching footage.
Johnson has one interception this season, which he returned 86 yards for a touchdown in the season opener against Fresno State after having some trouble in coverage earlier in the game.
“He’s just a perfectionist,” Morgan said of Johnson. “He wants 10 targets, zero catches and three (interceptions) every game. That’s really hard to do, right? Think about the Texas game, he had no targets. The game before that, he had targets. I just think he understands different ways you can impact the game, whether it’s his effort, communication on the sidelines or being a leader.”
Jyaire Hill, who has been selected in the last few games, will start opposite Johnson. Hill’s 47 snaps last week against Arkansas State were the most of any Michigan defensive back.
“When you’re always playing a cornerback position, you have to get experience, and he’s getting a hands-on education,” Morgan said of Hill. “He’s worked hard and tried to get better every day in practice. Having a guy like Will, who has been a mentor, someone who’s kind of set the standard here the last few years, and being around him more and more, allows him to see how it’s done. Jyaire has a lot of talent. There are things he’s getting better at every week, and I’m excited to see his development.”
Then there’s Aamir Hall, who spent two seasons at Richmond and last season at Albany before transferring to Michigan. He has made progress and could get more playing time against USC, especially if Hill struggles. Morgan said Hall has learned to juggle all the demands of playing at Michigan, from studying to acclimating to a new environment and working with a new team.
“If I show you his tips or Saturday morning reminders that he gives me, he fills in every single line there,” Morgan said. “He leaves no stone unturned. You come from a (smaller) program and there’s just a lot going on in the beginning. But then once you get settled into the season, it gets a lot easier for a guy like that. I’m excited for Aamir. I’m a huge fan of that guy.”
Will all of this be enough to slow down USC? Time will tell, but this Big Ten opener will answer many questions about the direction Michigan’s season will take.
@chengelis
