The Minnesota Gophers Football team has another tall mountain to climb as they face off against the 11th-ranked USC Trojans tonight at Huntington Bank Stadium. This will be the two teams first meeting as conference rivals and Minnesota will face a well-oiled machine in the Trojans, fresh off a 38-21 win over Wisconsin last week in Los Angeles.
In that game, USC had to overcome an 11-point halftime deficit. The L.A. Coliseum faithful booed them off the field as they ran to the locker room after the Trojans committed three first-half turnovers. The Gophers, meanwhile, lost a heartbreaker in Michigan on a controversial off-sides call. The Gophers are looking for their first Big Ten conference win of the year, and the Trojans want to stay on track to maintain their playoff aspirations.
Gophers Offense vs. Trojans Defense
Right to the point, the Gophers need to find a way to open up running lanes for Darius Taylor and Marcus Major. The good news is that Minnesota displayed some offensive firepower in the second half last week against a stout Michigan defense, so perhaps the offensive line has turned the corner on its early-season struggles. Their task was made considerably easier by the news that USC will be without its leading tackle, linebacker Eric Gentry, for today’s game due to an injury suffered last week in the Wisconsin game. To make matters worse, USC ranks 110th in the nation in yards allowed per rush, giving up 5.0 yards per rush attempt.
The Trojans will, however, have the services of safety Akili Arnold, who was sidelined last week with an injury. For Minnesota’s passing attack, they must limit the mistakes that have plagued the team this season. An abundance of penalties and 10 dropped passes have frequently put a halt to Minnesota’s offense. Quarterback Max Brosmer has been clicking with All-Big Ten wide receiver Daniel Jackson, wideout Elijah Spencer, and Taylor, who caught ten passes last week against Michigan. And while the Trojan defense is stingy on third down, they were burned for a couple of long touchdown passes last week by Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke.
Gophers Defense vs. Trojans Offense
The Gophers’ defense has failed to stop opponents’ running backs this season, mostly due to the number of missed tackles they have committed. They have missed double-digit tackles in three losses this season. Mississippi State transfer Woody Marks will make them pay if this problem is not eradicated. Gophers middle linebacker Cory Lindenberg and defensive back Jack Henderson will be counted on to help slow down the Trojans ground game.
Through the air, the Trojans are fortunate to have quarterback Miller Moss, who is averaging 300 passing yards per game and has thrown eight touchdown passes. Gophers cornerback Ethan Robinson and his defensive mates will need tight coverage on USC wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Zachariah Branch, as they both have big-play ability. And Minnesota defensive ends Jah Joyner and Danny Striggow have to keep consistent heat on Moss and maybe force a turnover or two.
Intangibles
Freshman Koi Perich has brought fire to the Gophers’ dormant return game, and he is dangerous any time he receives the ball. The same is true for USC’s speedy Branch, who is a dynamic double threat for the Trojans. The Gophers’ fortunes will depend on their ability to cut down on their offensive mistakes and their ability to stop Moss and the USC passing attack.
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