USC vs. Michigan State: Four things to watch for

After years of weathering the #AfterDarkish absurdity of the Pac-12 Conference, USC hoped shifting to the Big Ten would possibly help kick most of those weird midnight romps from its calendar.

Of course, geographic sense only issues so a lot in faculty soccer when there’s tens of millions to be made from broadcast rights. Fox had the third alternative this week among the networks and selected the best accessible sport. That’s why USC and Michigan State will kick off at 8 p.m. Saturday. Which means, in East Lansing, Mich., the sport ought to wrap someplace around 2:30-3 a.m.

There have been two such kickoffs in the Big Ten last season, and only one that included a group hopping three time zones to the west. USC received that 8 p.m. sport against Rutgers in quarterback Jayden Maiava’s debut.

The Spartans arrived in L.A. on Thursday to give them loads of time to acclimate. Jonathan Smith, who beforehand coached at Oregon State, understands what such a late kickoff requires. Still, you could possibly perceive why Michigan State may not be thrilled at the prospect of enjoying so late.

USC could have its own time-zone hassle to deal with next week, when it kicks off at 9 a.m. PDT in a highway matchup with Illinois. This weekend, the larger query for USC might be if the followers arrive well-rested — or at all.

“Both teams gotta deal with it,” coach Lincoln Riley said. “We gotta handle it well, our crowd needs to handle it well. At the end of the day, it’s a game, it’s being played, it’s being played in the Coliseum, and we expect to win and we expect to have a really good crowd behind us. We’re not going to make excuses about it.”

Here are 4 things to watch as USC takes on Michigan State:

Trojans take to the air

Few quarterbacks in faculty soccer have began the season at the breakneck tempo that Jayden Maiava has managed through three weeks. Maiava is averaging more than 14 yards per attempt — the most of any quarterback in the nation by three full yards — while finishing 68% of his passes, nearly a 10% enchancment from last season.

There’s no cause to assume that development received’t continue against Michigan State.

The Spartans rank 118th in the nation — and worst in the Big Ten — in cross protection, and that’s after enjoying groups like Youngstown State and Western Michigan. They haven’t seen something yet like USC’s passing offense, and particularly receiver Makai Lemon, who ranks behind only Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith in receiving yards (315-311) this season in the Big Ten.

Michigan State has been stingy this season against the run, so it might be powerful to discover a lot of a rhythm on the ground. That means a potential big sport for Maiava.

Will USC’s cross rush keep rolling?

Through three video games, USC’s rejuvenated cross rush truly leads the nation in sacks with 14. Michigan State, meanwhile, has allowed the second-most sacks of any Big Ten group this season.

That method may imply a long afternoon for Spartan quarterback Aidan Chiles, who Riley said this week poses “the biggest challenge we’ve faced up to this point” at the place. The Long Beach native seems to be placing it all together as a passer, but it’s Chiles’ twin menace capacity that might be particularly harmful against a entrance 4 that’s been aggressive early in the season..

He’s tied for the convention lead in rush makes an attempt among quarterbacks at 10 per sport.

“When you add in Chiles’ athleticism, that definitely adds an entirely new element,” Riley said. “So it’ll be a big focus point for us to be able to keep him in the pocket, to contain him in there.”

When under heavy stress, Chiles has been a lot less efficient. His completion proportion drops from 79% in a clean pocket to 48% in a pressured one.

Stud receiver standing

Both groups might be without their most dynamic cross catcher on Saturday.

USC wideout Ja’Kobi Lane, last 12 months’s Big Ten chief in landing receptions, is questionable after he sat out observe on Wednesday. Riley wouldn’t remark on whether or not he’d be accessible for the sport.

Similarly, the standing of Spartan receiver Nick Marsh was up in the air as of Friday. Marsh made the journey to L.A., in spite of dealing with a decrease leg injury. He’s by far Michigan State’s most dynamic weapon on offense and his absence could be important, if he’s unable to go.

Tanook Hines breakout sport incoming?

With Lane hobbled, keep a close eye on freshman Tanook Hines, who pulled down a gorgeous acrobatic catch last Saturday at Purdue.

Riley raved about the freshman earlier this week.

“He goes after the ball with a unique mindset for a freshman,” Riley said. “You talk about a guy who really attacks the ball. He’s played physical. He’s a really good blocker. He’s done a good job of picking up our system. … He’s an all-ball guy. There’s no fluff to this guy. He’s an edgy, tough competitor.”