The USC Trojans got through a rainy Wednesday practice with good news before the trip to Wisconsin. The week’s first availability report added no new players to the out list, two starting offensive linemen came off it completely, and two key defenders are listed as probable.
Elijah Paige is off the report
- The biggest news of the day. The starting left tackle missed Penn State after showing up on the final pregame report.
- We still don’t know why he sat out, but coming off the report is a really good sign.
- True freshman Vlad Dyakonov played well in his place. Having Paige back opposite Justin Tauanuu gives USC its starting tackles again for a tough road game.
- What it means: better protection for Jayden Maiava against Wisconsin’s pass rush.
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Hayden Treter is back in the mix
- The left guard is also off the report.
- That doesn’t mean the job is automatically his. Kaylon Miller played well while Treter was out and could stay in the lineup.
- Treter brings more size and power in the run game. Miller has shown athleticism on pulls and counters.
- Either way, USC’s rotation up front gets deeper.
- This line held up at Penn State without its usual left tackle and left guard. Getting healthier now only helps.
Stewart and Walker listed as probable
- DL Jahkeem Stewart is dealing with a foot issue. The expectation is he keeps playing through it the rest of the year.
- His status matters more with Jide Abasiri still questionable. With Stewart, the younger DL won’t have to take on extra snaps.
- LB Jadyn Walker being probable is another plus.
- Keep an eye on Elijah Newby: physical, athletic, and solid in coverage in Gary Patterson’s defense. That’s a read on his upside, not an announced change to the rotation.
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Bowman, Weaver and Abasiri still questionable
- USC Trojans TE Mark Bowman remains week-to-week. I have my doubts he’ll be ready for Wisconsin, but that’s my own opinion, not confirmed info.
- Freshman WR Luc Weaver is new on the report as questionable. Unclear if he got hurt at Penn State or in practice since.
- With Terrell Anderson and Corey Simms already out, Weaver’s status is worth watching in the receiver room.
- Abasiri dressed and played one snap at Penn State. He could play against Wisconsin, maybe in a limited role. Nothing’s confirmed.
No new players ruled out
- Kendarius Reddick and Taylor Johnson are still out.
- There’s no confirmation that either one is done for the season, but they have both missed much of the season for the USC Trojans thus far.
Defense getting ready for a physical game
- Alex VanSumeren, Luke Wafle, Alex Graham and Prophet Brown talked with reporters. The main topic was Wisconsin’s physicality and athleticism.
- Recovery came up a lot: after seven straight games, players used the bye week and USC’s facilities to get healthy.
- VanSumeren played in the Big Ten at Michigan State, but this will be his first game at Wisconsin.
- Former Badgers TE Tucker Ashcraft has been telling teammates what to expect at Camp Randall.
On The Docket For Thursday
- Another availability report is coming, and Lincoln Riley talks to the media Thursday.
- I expect USC to travel Friday. This isn’t confirmed, but some Sherlock Holmes-level investigating based on Lincoln Riley being available for his Thursday Zoom call (he was unavailable for the Rutgers or Penn State as the team traveled on Thursday).
Bottom line: Paige and Treter are off the report, Stewart and Walker are probable, and nobody new was ruled out. USC still has questions, but the first report of Wisconsin week was mostly good news.