A big test for the Gopher secondary
The Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-3) return home to host the No. 11-ranked USC Trojans (3-1) on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Can USC score on offense?
The stats will tell you that that Minnesota defense is first in the country in pass defense, allowing 96.8 passing yards per game. But of the four FBS opponents they’ve faced through the first five games, only North Carolina ranks in the Top 50 in passing offense.
USC is 12th in the country in passing offense, averaging 316 passing yards per game. Miller Moss is the best quarterback the Gophers will face all season and he has a collection of dynamic playmakers at his disposal, led by wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane and his 19 receptions for 221 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore Zachariah Branch (18 receptions, 217 receiving yards) and junior Kyron Hudson (13 receptions, 172 receiving yards) are not far behind.
Obviously USC is going to throw the ball early and often, but senior running back Woody Marks will get his carries, having rushed for 334 yards and three touchdowns on 61 attempts this season. Expect redshirt freshman Quentin Joyner to rotate into the backfield, as well.
To ground the Trojans’ air attack, Minnesota needs to get healthy in the secondary. Top cornerback Justin Walley has missed two straights with an undisclosed leg injury. Just as important will be whether or not the Gophers can pressure Moss. We know defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman likes to play aggressive and dial up pressures, but if Minnesota’s pass rush can’t get home, those USC wide receivers are going to get open eventually.
Please tell me the Gophers will be able to score
The Trojan defense has been head coach Lincoln Riley’s Achilles heel during his tenure in Pasadena. Under first-year co-defensive coordinators D’Anton Lynn and Eric Henderson, USC ranks 78th in run defense (150 rushing yards allowed per game), 15th in pass defense (154.8 passing yards allowed per game), and 30th in scoring defense (17 points allowed per game).
Consistency has probably been their biggest issue. The Wisconsin game is a perfect example. USC struggled to stop the Badger offense in the first half, particularly through the air, as quarterback Braedyn Locke threw for 130 yards and a touchdown. Running back Tawee Walker also had a pair of touchdown runs as Wisconsin took a 21-10 halftime lead. But the Trojan defense played much faster and more physical in the second half, stopping the Badgers in their tracks.
Which defense will show up on Saturday? It’s anyone’s guess. But USC could be without top linebacker Eric Gentry, who was carted off the field with a neck injury against Wisconsin and is said to be questionable for the Minnesota game. Starting strong safety Akili Arnold missed the Wisconsin game after suffering an injury against Michigan and is also questionable for Saturday.
It will be interesting to watch the battle in the trenches, as the Trojans only have five sacks as a team this season and Gentry is responsible for two of them. He is also the team leader in tackles for loss (6.5), which is more than any other two players combined.
But who will score more points on Saturday?
Call me crazy, but I got a feeling about this one. Minnesota 28, USC 27.