The team who thinks together plays together, and surely wins together, case in point with the USC Trojans. Lincoln Riley is not only making wonders with the team alignments with players like QB Miller Moss but also with the thought process they carry for success. With the coming 2024 college football season and fall camp wrapping there is a high expectation for Miller Moss as the starting QB, with a phenomenal track record from last year’s Holiday Bowl,  It will be interesting to watch how this season turns out for him.

Miller Moss’ patience finally paid off after three seasons as a backup. USC head coach Lincoln Riley has officially appointed Moss as the starting quarterback for the Trojans in the 2024 season, as expected. On August 21, Moss, USC quarterback, spoke to InsideTroy following Tuesday’s mock game week practice. He talked about how his patience in the program and consistency throughout the game helped him achieve the title. “I think it’s more about what you do with it than just being named the starter.” Moss also said how he feels about the competition, believing it is important to improve oneself but in the end, it’s about constantly improving. “ I think I just tried to come to practice and be the best version of myself I think if you try to look like oh I’m in the lead I’m not in the lead I don’t think that’s a constructive way to look at your development as a player.”  

Even Head Coach Lincoln Riley feels the same, in a conversation with InsideTroy after their practice mock game week on August 21, naming QB Miller Moss the starter saying how the competition for starting QB was extremely cut-throat. “It was close. Give Miller a lot of credit. He improved and handled the competition well”. Riley feels handling competition with consistency is something that makes Miller a better player, whether it’s operating with the offense or handling the pressure he surely puts up with it very easily.  He also mentioned how QB Jayden Maiava also improved drastically, but Miller was more consistent throughout the game. “Miller was still the best and still the guy that we feel gives this team the best chance to win and play well.” In Riley’s words Confidence is key and if your system is not a quarterback-friendly system, you need to find a new system, which he surely did for the upcoming season.

Prediction for the upcoming match

With the coming 2024 season, the USC Trojans filled a crucial spot of star quarterback Caleb Williams with junior Miller Moss.  As Moss shined last season by throwing for 372 yards and 6 touchdowns for the Bowl against Louisville, there’s confidence for the upcoming game.

The USC Trojans also have talented players like wide receiver Zachariah Branch, one of the fastest players in college football history. Also, the team’s solid up-front Jonah Monheim might be the best center for the coming season. 

The preseason AP Poll ranks the USC Trojans at 23. While the AP Poll acknowledges the Trojans, sportsbooks have set their win total at just 7.5 wins. An added advantage for the Trojans is their schedule opening up the season against the LSU Tigers, the team will have to take a step up in competition against the Big Ten this season, with changing game dynamics. Let’s see how the season turns out with Miller Moss as the starting QB under the guidance of Lincoln Riley.