USC Trojans 2024 Football Preview

Nebraska. Southern Cal. Two of college football’s blue bloods, yet seemingly world’s apart. One is a rural state, stereotypically filled with corn fields; the other is the bright lights of Hollywood, surrounded by palm trees. And the two have rarely intersected historically – only five games.

And now… the long time Big Eight and Pac-8/10 institutions find themselves as conference rivals … in the Big Ten. That would have seemed bizarre the last time the Trojans played in Lincoln. (An unspeakable horror that hastened the demise of Steve Pederson and Bill Callahan.)

Another bizarre fact: Nebraska has never beaten Southern Cal. In 1969, the Trojans beat the Huskers handily, and then the two teams tied in 1970, which was the Huskers’ only blemish in their first national championship season. In 2006, Bill Callahan went out to Los Angeles with one goal: don’t get embarrassed by the Trojans. After being roundly criticized for that strategy, Callahan gave us the embarassing blowout loss at home in 2007. And finally in 2014, the Trojans and Huskers played an entertaining game, with Nebraska coming up just a bit short in the end.

If Southern Cal is going to keep their undefeated record against Nebraska intact, junior quarterback Miller Moss (6’2” 200 lbs.) is likely to be a key reason. Moss played sparingly as a backup until Caleb Williams opted out of the bowl game for the NFL draft. All Moss did in the Holiday Bowl was complete 23 of 33 passes against Louisville for 372 yards and SIX touchdowns. And if Moss either gets hurt or doesn’t pan out, UNLV transfer Jayden Maiva (6’4” 220 lbs.), the Mountain West freshman-of-the-year and second team All-MWC quarterback, is waiting in the wings. Maiva completed 64% of his passes last season for 3,085 yards, 17 touchdowns and ten interceptions. He’s also a runner, rushing for 277 yards and three touchdowns last season. Moss seemed to cement his status as the Trojans QB1 this summer, but anything can happen the upcoming three months.

The Trojans have to replace a third round draft pick at running back, but are adding Mississippi State transfer Jo’quavious Marks (5’10” 208 lbs.) and true freshman Bryan Jackson (6’1” 225 lbs.). Jackson scored twice in the spring game, and Marks started 31 games for the Bulldogs in his career. Last season, Marks led Mississippi State with 573 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

Southern Cal needs to replace two NFL draft picks at receiver, but Lincoln Riley has been recruiting receivers hard, so there is young talent in the program. Sophomore Zachariah Branch (5’10” 175 lbs.) caught 31 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns, and also earned first-team All-Pac 12 as a kick returner, averaging nearly 21 yards per punt return and 18 yards per kickoff return. Sophomore tight end Duce Robinson (6’6” 215 lbs.) averaged nearly 22 yards per catch, including a 71 yard touchdown.

It’s a similar situation on the Trojans’ offensive line. Junior Jonah Monheim (6’5” 305 lbs.) was a two year starter at tackle who’s moving to center this season. Junior guard Emmanuel Pregnon (6’5” 320 lbs.) started at Wyoming before transferring to UCLA to start at left guard last season. Redshirt freshmen Alani Noa (6’4” 333 lbs.) and Elijah Page (6’7” 316 lbs.) each started one game last season get experience yet retain that year of eligibility

On defense, there’s a much stronger base of experienced talent with new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn bringing transfers with him from UCLA as well as from Oregon State. On the defensive line, junior nose guard Bear Alexander (6’3” 313 lbs.) was a first team All-Pac-12 honoree last season with 47 tackles. Senior rush end Jamil Muhammad (6’1” 256 lbs.) also had 47 tackles last season and led the Trojans with 6.5 sacks. They’ll be joined by Vanderbilt defensive tackle transfer Nate Clifton (6’4” 289 lbs.) who led Vandy with 5.5 sacks.

Senior weakside linebacker Mason Cobb (6’0” 231 lbs.) won second team All-Pac 12 honors last season after transferring from Oklahoma State, where he was honored as second team All-Big XII honors as a sophomore. Cobb led USC last season with 85 tackles after leading OSU with 96 in 2022. Presumably, he’ll likely be in the mix for honors in a third conference this season. Senior nickleback Jaylin Smith (5’11” 190 lbs.) was second on the Trojans last season with 75 tackles. USC adds Oregon State transfer Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (5’11” 228 lbs.), who earned first team All-Pac 12 honors with 107 tackles.

It’s an extreme makeover in the secondary as Southern Cal hit the transfer portal hard to replace the entire defensive backfield. UCLA transfers John Humphrey (6’2” 205 lbs.) and Kamari Ramsey (6’1” 205 lbs.) will be joinged by Oregon State transfer Akili Arnold (6’0” 200 lbs.). Arnold had 60 tackles last season at safety while Ramsey had 40 tackles at safety and Humphrey had 31 at cornerback. With so much experienced talent and an upgraded defensive coordinator, I expect Southern Cal to be much improved on defense in 2024.

The Big Ten’s schedule makers didn’t do the Trojans any favors, as they must face Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin along with improving Nebraska and Rutgers teams. That’s along side the end-of-season rivalry game with Notre Dame; no wonder Southern Cal tried to get out of the season opener against LSU in Las Vegas. The Trojans probably won’t be in contention for the Big Ten title game, but they will be a tough out and quite possibly Nebraska’s second toughest opponent in 2024.