USC’s Miller Moss has been one of the most accurate and efficient quarterbacks in the nation this season. Can the Wolverines slow him down?
With 2024 NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams sitting out the Holiday Bowl last December, Miller Moss made his first career start against Louisville and has looked great ever since.
- Moss threw for 372 yards and six touchdowns, which is the most ever by a USC quarterback in a starting debut, and is a USC bowl game record.
- In a 27-20 Week 1 win over LSU this year, Moss threw for 378 yards and a touchdown.
The USC passing offense is ranked No. 7 in the nation and is humming with Moss at the helm. Moss has a 72.7 percent completion percentage through two games in 2024 and per PFF, has a 90.9% Adjusted completion rate which ranks first in the nation.
Moss presents a major challenge for a Michigan defense that is still trying to find cohesion in the first year of Wink Martindale as defensive coordinator. The Wolverines rank No. 90 in passing yards allowed and Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers had a field day against the defense with 246 yards passing and three scores. While Moss might not have the same kind of name recognition nationally as Ewers, he could be every bit as high of a draft prospect when things are all said and done.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley has coached three Heisman-winning quarterbacks since 2017 — Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Caleb Williams. It’s safe to say Riley knows a thing or two about the quarterback position and he believes Moss may be his best pupil yet.
“He’s done a great job here early in his career,” Riley said this week. “There’s no question (Moss) is really smart. He’s one of the smartest (quarterbacks), and maybe the smartest that I’ve had, which is saying something.”
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore also sees a smart and talented quarterback in Moss, noting he always knows where to go with the football.
“We gotta be smart in how we attack him and how we do things because he does a really good job,” Moore said .
Moore described other attributes that make Moss successful.
“Accurate, takes care of the football, plays well within the system. Not a runner by any means but definitely has good arm strength and has a lot of weapons around him and distributes it well,’’ Moore said. “Plays well within the system. He’s a really good player.”
Moss is now 22 years old and has thrown for 1,521 yards in his career with 11 touchdowns and just one interception. Moss has always been good, he just so happened to be backing up a great collegiate quarterback in Caleb Williams. Moss may have just a few starts under his belt but he’s playing like a veteran and someone poised to have a big season. The question is can Michigan alter the great start to the season he and the Trojans have had?