Can USC Trojans Quarterback Jayden Maiava Lead Big Ten In Passing?

Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne is the Big Ten's passing leader after week 1 of college football. Browne opened up the season with 311 yards and two touchdowns, including one rushing in the Boilermakers' 31-0 win over Ball State on Saturday.

Maiava is closely behind Browne in passing yards and has the opportunity to surpass him this weekend as the Trojans face Georgia Southern at the Coliseum. The Trojans are heavy favorites on Saturday, and Maiava should be able to move the ball down the field consistently against the Eagles' defense.

Browne is also looking to build off his impressive week 1 performance when Purdue faces off against Southern Illinois under the lights on Saturday night at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Maiava and Browne will face off in week 3 when the Trojans travel to West Lafayette for the Big Ten opener for both USC and Purdue. Maiava likely gets the best of Browne in the Sept. 13 matchup against Purdue.

Can Maiava lead the Big Ten In Passing Yards?

Since taking over the starting quarterback role towards the end of last season, Maiava has shown growth and maturity since his first start against Nebraska. Maiava threw for 1,201 total passing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024, and a majority of those passing yards came in his four starts to end the season. What can Maiava do in a full season of football?

Maiava's biggest competitor to lead the Big Ten in passing yards will include Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. The Penn State quarterback was third in the Big Ten in passing last season behind Dillon Gabriel and Will Howard. Allar finished the season with 3,327 passing yards and 24 touchdowns.

Allar leads a Penn State team that is the favorite to win the Big Ten and has National Championship aspirations. His performance this season will make him one of the leaders in the Big Ten in passing once again.

Other quarterbacks that will challenge Maiava as the top passing leader in the Big Ten include Dylan Raiola (Nebraska), Dante Moore (Oregon), and Julian Sayin (Ohio State). Many are high on Raiola to take the next step this season with Nebraska, and Moore could have a breakout season with a talented Ducks offense.

The key for Maiava to achieve the Big Ten pass leader is his consistency throughout the season. If Maiava can show the same consistency that he did in his four starts to end the 2024 season and the season opener, then he'll lead in passing yards overwhelmingly.