USC Trojans will have a much bigger problem on their hands with Michigan's offense than what everyone expects

USC Trojans' defensive stats in 2025

• 354.4 Total Yards Per Game Allowed
• 251.1 Passing Yards Per Game
• 108.4 Rushing Yards Per Game
• 23 Points Allowed Per Game

USC's defense could struggle against Michigan's offense

Defensive stops haven't come easy for the Trojans this year. Remember last season, towards the beginning of the year, when we all said that USC finally has a defense now? That may not quite be the same story here this season. They're not terrible on defense, as they are pretty decent at stopping the run. However, they allowed Illinois to do whatever it wanted to them.

Michigan is not the same offense as last season, where they literally just ran the ball, nothing else. This team can air it out a bit more now, and that's because they actually have a good quarterback in true freshman QB Bryce Underwood. His arm talent is pretty good; decision-making still needs some work, but overall, you can tell he will be a special player. The Trojans are going to be tasked with stopping him, and if you've watched Michigan here lately, you know they're unleashing Underwood more and more every week.

It feels like each week we're seeing Underwood do something new, something that true freshmen QBs don't usually do. Now, he's using his legs, whereas when they played the Oklahoma Sooners, he didn't run a lot at all. So, this is a much bigger test for the Trojans than some may realize, and that's partly because judgment could be fogged from just how bad Michigan was on that side of the ball last year.

They have to be confident in their DC, though. He's come up with some great game plans; it's just about execution for the Trojans.

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