Game Preview: Michigan State versus USC
Michigan State heads to Los Angeles to face the Trojans of USC on Saturday night. Get ready for the game with this preview of the game.
The Michigan State Spartans have finished their non-conference slate and head into conference play 3-0. A massive road test now faces them as they head to Los Angeles to face USC at The Coliseum. This is a game the Spartans are considered considerable underdogs, as the Trojans are heading into the game as 18.5 point favorites.
The Spartans will have to put together their most complete game yet if they are going to have any chance of pulling off the upset. With Aidan Chiles and the offense playing at a high level, the defense will have to step up in a major way in order to pull off the win.
Game Info
Time: Saturday, Sep. 20, 11:00 p.m. ET
TV Channel: Fox
Radio: Spartan Media Network
Location: Spartan Stadium (East Lansing, MI)
Weather: Temperatures look to be near 70 around kickoff with mostly clear conditions. No rain is in the forecast and wind is expected to be minimal.
USC Notables
The Trojans are also off to a 3-0 start with home victories over Missouri State and Georgia Southern as well as road win at Purdue. They are led by junior quarterback Jayden Maiava who has been one of the best in the nation to start the season. Maiava has thrown for 989 yards, six touchdowns, zero interceptions, and has a 68.6 completion rating. He is finding his playmakers, and doing it efficiently.
While Maiava is mobile, he is not the same threat that the Spartans saw last week vs Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard. The rest of USC's rushing attack has been equally as productive as the Trojans have run for 720 yards so far this year, averaging 7.0 yards per carry. They are led by running backs Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders. This duo has rushed for five touchdowns on just over seven yards per carry.
As far as playmakers go, the Trojans have one of the very best wide receivers in the country in Makai Lemon. His 311 yards (19.4 YPC) is 10th highest in the nation. Opposite of Lemon is 6-foot 4-inch Ja’Kobi Lane who has 239 receiving yards (26.6 YPC) so far on the season.
With all of these pieces, USC is averaging 55 points per game (#2 in the country) and 604 yards per game (#1 in the country). This unit will present to be a major challenge for the Spartan defense that has not looked the sharpest through the first three weeks.
