Georgia Southern (0-1) at USC (1-0)
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
TV/Radio: FS1
Line: USC by 28.5
NOTABLE INJURIES
USC: OUT: CB Prophet Brown (lower body), K Caden Chittenden (undisclosed), CB Alex Graham (undisclosed), WR Prince Strachan (ankle); QUESTIONABLE: DT Jahkeem Stewart (lower body); CB Chasen Johnson (undisclosed), RB Bryan Jackson (undisclosed).
Georgia Southern: OUT: TE Jackson Long (knee).
What’s at stake? USC can make it two statement wins in a row after beating Missouri State 73-13 last weekend. And with little change in the depth chart and defensive players like Jahkeem Stewart and Chasen Johnson potentially returning from injury, it looks like that may happen.
Who’s better? The Trojans are pound-for-pound the more talented and better-resourced team. Georgia Southern is on a nine-day road trip along the West Coast. The Eagles lost to Fresno State 42-14 last weekend before traveling to stay and train at River Ridge Playing Fields, the Dallas Cowboys’ training facility in Oxnard. Georgia Southern’s defense forced three turnovers against Fresno State, including two interceptions and one fumble recovery. Defensive back Jayden Davis led the Bulldogs with 10 tackles and linebacker Tyson Brandon and cornerback Chance Gamble each had an interception. Expect USC’s offense to quickly find ways around the Eagles – nine Trojans scored in last week’s rout of Missouri State.
Matchup to watch: Georgia Southern scored both of its touchdowns against Fresno State through the air, so this game can be a good opportunity for USC to show off its pass rush. Kameryn Fountain and Anthony Lucas are steady on the edge, but the linebacking corps is hinting at how talented and deep it could be this season under the guidance of position coach Rob Ryan.
USC wins if: There is no reason for USC to lose this game. But if the Trojans want to come away with growth, they can continue to build on their pass rush and make progress in the ongoing cornerback battle. The offense has found its identity within the leadership development and athleticism of Jayden Maiava and its explosive run game. The defense is fully capable of making big plays of its own and communication between playmakers like safety Bishop Fitzgerald, defensive end Kameryn Fountain and linebacker Eric Gentry gives USC shutout potential.
Prediction: USC 56, Georgia Southern 10. The Trojans head into Big Ten play 2-0 with another lopsided win in which many freshmen and reserves will get playing time.
