USC Trojans Game Plan For Battle Against Michigan

The USC Trojans‘ playoff hopes rely on what they can be defensively. They royally failed the first test vs. Illinois.

It just didn’t feel like the Trojans made any big adjustments during the game. It looked like they had the same front and the same personnel group and got the same results.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways SC can slow down the Michigan rushing attack.  

3 Linebacker Sets

It starts with Eric Gentry and Desman Stephens II, who will be busy on Saturday. 

This also feels like a Jadyn Walker game if there ever was one. Walker is the sledgehammer in the linebacker room. 

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This game may as well be a street fight in the trenches. The Trojans won’t win every battle, but the Defensive Line needs to hold the line so the linebackers can fill the gaps and play downhill. Linebackers look for the run on every play.

Justice Hayes rushed for 125 yards on 19 carries vs. Oklahoma with a long of 75. Hayes has big-play ability; hopefully, three linebackers could stop him before his blazing speed can get started.  

Changing The Front 

Bryce Underwood is a true freshman, and while young, quarterbacks are becoming more and more advanced. This is what the USC high-priced defensive coaching staff is getting paid for. 

You’re at home, off a bye week, your opponent just played Wisconsin, and this talented Defensive staff needs to show the Michigan QB looks that he hasn’t seen before. That slight adjustment can help the defense get a sack, a turnover, etc. 

Changing the front can help disguise who’s coming and who isn’t, or you can just send everyone.  Regardless of what Coach Lynn tries, they can’t give up big plays, especially in the run game.  

Run Blitz 

Run-heavy teams will lean on the run no matter what. So whether it’s 2nd & 18 or 3rd & 8, the threat of the run is always there. Michigan doesn’t want to throw the ball 40 times, so they will have no issue with ending every drive with a kick.

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This being said, USC can’t allow big gains on the ground vs Michigan. Run Blitzing could help force the issue. Sitting back won’t be the way to stop this big-play running game. 

Saturday will be here soon enough, and one of the highest-paid defensive coordinators in College Football needs to improve the numbers below.  

USC Trojans 2025 Defensive Stats & FBS Ranks 

• PPG Allowed – 23.0 – FBS Rank – 64th
• Total YPG – 359 – FBS Rank – 68th
• Pass YPG – 250 – FBS Rank – 111th
• Rush YPG – 108 – FBS Rank – 29th
• 20+ YD Play – 20 – FBS Rank – 57th
• Sacks/GM – 3.4 – FBS Rank – 7th