Why USC Trojans Will Win the Second Half of Their Season

Under Lincoln Riley, the USC Trojans (6-1) have fielded one of the best offenses in the Big Ten this season. That is why they will win the second half of their season.

Currently on a two-game winning streak, Riley has the Trojans ranked atop the conference in the following categories:

Riley has quarterback Jayden Maiava triggering his efficient and productive offense.

Maiava leads the Big Ten in passing yards (2,045) and passing yards per game (292).

Further, Maiava has thrown 18 touchdown passes, only three interceptions, and completed 67.9 percent of his passes.

In those wins over Washington and Penn State, Maiava combined for 546 yards passing, four touchdowns and just one interception.

In addition to Maiava, the Trojans have a plethora of skill players that have aided USC’s ascent as one of the league’s best.

Maiava’s 18 TD passes have been spread out to seven different receivers, led by true freshmen Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Trent Mosley.

Dixon-Wyatt and Mosley have combined for 49 catches, 766 yards and nine touchdowns.

Running back King Miller is No. 2 in the Big Ten in rushing yards with 595 yards. He has scored four touchdowns and has averaged better than five yards per carry.

The second half of the season for USC is challenging, to say the least. However, this USC offense is more than good enough to come away with victories.

Three of their five remaining opponents on the schedule are currently parked in the top ten: Ohio State, Indiana, and UCLA.

No. 3 Ohio State (6-1) will travel west to take on the Trojans in the Coliseum. The Buckeyes will take the field without their starting quarterback, Julian Sayin, who is out with an injury.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is now forced to look at his bench and call backup signal-caller Luke Fahey’s number.

Fahey is a true freshman with just two games of live action under his belt.

For the season, Fahey played in two games, threw for 203 passing yards, two interceptions, and nine completions.

Starting your first collegiate game on the road, at the most important position on the field, is the test of all tests.

After holding a clipboard on the sideline, Fahey will now have to step up and lead the Buckeyes to victory on the road.  A tall task, indeed. That uncertainty favors USC.

No. 6 Indiana (6-1) is coming off a loss to Ohio State, whose offensive output is similar to that of USC. At least it was before the Sayin injury.

The Trojans’ offense will cause problems for the Hoosiers.

Then there is cross-town rival UCLA (6-0). The Bruins last two victories have been closer than they would like.

They squeaked out a 17-15 win on the road at Oregon, and beat Wisconsin 17-7.

The Bruins lost starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava for the season due to an injury. Backup Ty Dieffenbach proved to be a capable replacement in the win over the Badgers.

We will see if Dieffenbach can perform under pressure from a better team like USC?

The Trojans’ offense has the talent and production to be a juggernaut during the stretch run.

Riley and USC are contenders now for a Big Ten title and a berth in the College Football Playoff.