Alex Orji will start under center for the Wolverines when the USC Trojans come to town this weekend. He can help get Michigan’s run game going, which is a part of our key matchups for the game:
Head coach Sherrone Moore announced a shakeup at quarterback ahead of the top-25 matchup this weekend: Alex Orji will get the start for the Wolverines in Week 4. He’s just 3-of-6 for 15 yards in the air, with two touchdowns, and has 10 carries for 58 yards on the ground.
USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley did what he needed to do in the offseason, hiring D’Anton Lynn as his defensive coordinator. The Trojans’ defense played well against LSU the opening weekend — while the Tigers ended the game with 421 total yards, USC held them to 117 rushing yards, and LSU was just 5-of-13 on third down.
That defense was even more impressive against Utah State, who only managed 190 yards of total offense, picking up 103 passing yards and 87 rushing yards. The Aggies also couldn’t keep drives alive, they were 2-of-11 on third down.
On offense, USC is continuing where it left off despite losing a Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1-overall pick in Caleb Williams. Riley has always had a reputation as an offensive mastermind and the offense continues churning with Miller Moss now under center. The team only scored 27 points in the against LSU but went back to putting up big numbers in its 48-0 Week 2 win over Utah State.
Stock is up for the USC Trojans this season, but it’s trending down for the Wolverines. The Wolverines are an underdog again as they host the Trojans, and here are the matchups we’re watching as the Wolverines try and get their first win over a ranked opponent in the Sherrone Moore era.
Michigan run game vs. USC linebackers
If you’re looking for the strongest unit on USC’s defense right now, it’s probably the linebackers. The Trojan defense is much improved compared to 2023. USC only gave up 20 points to LSU, then pitched a shutout against Utah State the next week, which was the team’s first since it shut out UCLA in 2011.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold transferred to USC from Oregon State. He had seven tackles in the Trojans’ game against Utah State and also picked up an interception on a deflected pass. He also had two tackles and four assists against LSU. He’s a guy that USC trusts too, he’s been on the field for 100 snaps this season according to Pro Football Focus.
Linebacker Eric Gentry also had seven tackles in the win over Utah State, but picked up a sack instead of an interception. He had five tackles and two assists against LSU.
This week, Orji will start at quarterback, offering another dimension to Michigan’s run game. Teams so far this season haven’t been able to get the run game going against USC, but some of that is the teams they’ve played. If Michigan can use the mobile quarterback to cause some confusion for USC’s defense, it can get things going in the run game.
Kalel Mullings is coming off a career day against Arkansas State after scoring two touchdowns and picking up 153 yards on 15 carries. He’s the kind of back who runs hard and can exploit how much USC’s defense relies on good play from its linebackers.
Donovan Edwards had 82 yards on 17 carries last weekend. If Michigan’s offensive line can help open up some lanes for him in this one, he should be able to get at least one big run for the Wolverines.
Michigan rush defense vs. USC running backs
While USC’s quarterback play and receivers continue to shine this season, there is also a group of talented running backs, including Woody Marks, who has 29 carries for 171 yards in two games, and three touchdowns. LSU held USC to just 69 yards on the ground, and while Marks had two touchdowns, he averaged just 4.2 yards per carry.
Despite losing the game, LSU managed to limit USC’s production on the ground by getting the defensive line, edge rushers, and linebackers into the mix at the line of scrimmage. LSU picked up seven tackles for loss in that game.
Quinten Joyner is another guy to watch in USC’s backfield, and while he was relatively ineffective against LSU, he had 10 carries for 84 yards and two touchdowns against Utah State.
In the game against Texas, the Wolverines gave up 143 yards on the ground, but the rush defense against Fresno State and Arkansas State was phenomenal, giving up just 58 yards to the Red Wolves and only nine rushing yards to Fresno State.
This is the first true road game for Moss after starting in two neutral site games for USC. If Michigan can limit USC’s ground game and force Moss to win it with his arm, it could help out the secondary. Unlike Texas veteran quarterback Quinn Ewers, Moss may not have the skills to avoid throwing Will Johnson’s way, and you’d give your best defensive back opportunities to make some big plays.
Michigan’s secondary vs. USC passing attack
USC has an impressive passing attack. In the blowout win over Utah State, 14 players registered catches, and half averaged double-digit yards per catch. Against LSU, Kyron Hudson had five catches for 83 yards, averaging 16.6 yards per catch, and one of them was a pretty impressive one-handed grab.
Redshirt junior Lake McRee has been a reliable target for Miller Moss in two weeks of play. McRee led the team in receiving yards, he had four catches for 81 yards, averaging 20.2 yards per carry. Against LSU, McRee had five catches for 56 yards, averaging 11.2 yards per carry.
Michigan will need its secondary to help get USC’s offense off the field on third down. Against Michigan, Texas was 10-of-16 on third down. LSU managed to limit USC’s offensive production by getting them off the field on third down. The Trojans were just 3-of-9 on third down.
Michigan won’t be able to rely solely on Will Johnson in this one, everyone will need to play their best. Michigan’s secondary is also the unit that can help swing the turnover battle in Michigan’s favor. Will Johnson, Zeke Berry, and Makari Paige have all intercepted passes through three games.