LOS ANGELES — The No. 12 Southern California football team, just two games into the season, has already transformed many of the anticipated narratives from the preseason.

How will they cope with the loss of Caleb Williams? Quarterback Miller Moss has emerged as a strong contender, potentially making a case for Heisman consideration.

Last season’s defense, criticized for its inability to stop opponents, has now improved, holding LSU to 20 points and achieving its first shutout since 2011 against Utah State.

The idea that USC wouldn’t contend for a Big Ten title or a College Football Playoff spot? That perception might shift with this weekend’s game.

USC is set to officially enter the Big Ten in its first conference matchup on Saturday against Michigan, the reigning champions, who will host the Trojans at The Big House — a venue known for its loud crowd of over 110,000 fans ready to deliver a fierce challenge.

These two historic programs, the Trojans and Wolverines, seem to be on divergent paths. Southern California believes it can regain national prominence and stay among the top ten teams, while Michigan, fresh off a national championship, is grappling with significant player losses, a new head coach, and the repercussions of a sign-stealing scandal. They are also recovering from a tough loss to Texas and have an offense that has not yet shown promise for another championship run. Furthermore, the Wolverines will have a new quarterback, Alex Orji, who is making his initial start.

Despite Michigan’s underwhelming performance thus far, USC remains respectful and acknowledges their reputation. Trojans coach Lincoln Riley remarked that Michigan’s recent loss to Texas didn’t reflect the actual competitiveness of the game and emphasized the challenge his team faces this weekend.

“They are a strong football team that we respect greatly. To believe otherwise would be a mistake on our part,” Riley stated.

Can USC Match Michigan’s Physicality?

Under the guidance of coordinator D’Anton Lynn, the revamped USC defense is eager to challenge a struggling Michigan passing game. However, with Orji leading, the Wolverines are expected to rely on their running game for advancement. Riley is pleased with his defense’s performance thus far and believes it will continue to limit substantial plays.

The real question is whether the Trojans can stand up against Michigan’s powerful linemen, who embody the traditional toughness associated with the Big Ten. This game is part of the reason why USC focused on increasing their physical strength during the offseason, adding a total of 1,400 pounds of muscle.

“It all begins up front with the offensive and defensive lines. They set the tone for the game, and we follow their lead,” said running back Woody Marks. “We must assert dominance on both sides.”

Although Michigan’s loss to Texas was disappointing, it wasn’t entirely their defense’s fault. Turnovers by the offense early in the game gave the Longhorns advantageous scoring opportunities, which helped them pull away by halftime.

The Michigan defense showed resilience against Fresno State and Arkansas State, allowing only 10 points to the Bulldogs and preventing the Red Wolves from scoring until late in the game—despite three interceptions from quarterback Davis Warren. Currently, they are allowing just 70 rushing yards per game, ranking in the top 15 nationwide.

Marks emphasized the importance of the offensive line establishing dominance early in the game, confident that “our physicality is on a different level.” Coach Riley expressed his satisfaction that the team faced tough competition against LSU, helping them gain insights into what to expect moving forward. Redshirt-freshman offensive lineman Elijah Paige reflected that their victory over the Tigers greatly boosted their confidence.

However, the challenge they will face in their Big Ten opener is on another scale.

“This is a significant test. A massive challenge,” Riley acknowledged. “It will be a crucial aspect of the game.”

USC and Michigan: A Classic Rivalry

Regardless of how the Trojans approach it, Saturday is more than just another game. This marks their inaugural conference game in the Big Ten and pits them against a team with rich historical significance.

“This is an incredible opportunity. It’s a privilege to compete in such a game,” Paige remarked.

More importantly, this matchup serves as a benchmark to determine if the Trojans can genuinely compete for the Big Ten title. With the expanded College Football Playoff framework, qualifying seems more attainable, yet this remains uncharted territory for USC, which has narrowly missed out during Williams’ Heisman campaign.

“There’s a great deal of enthusiasm surrounding the program as we look ahead to the opportunities that await,” said Riley. “I don’t want to downplay this. It’s a significant challenge and an excellent opportunity”

If USC manages to secure a victory against Michigan, it will have a smoother path ahead in the season. Although they still need to face tough opponents like Wisconsin, Penn State, Nebraska, and Notre Dame, the advantage is that all of these matchups will take place at home.

What impact does a win this Saturday have?

“It definitely sets the momentum for the rest of the season,” remarked Paige.