Week 4 of college football is here, and we have a game to look forward to! USC Trojans, fresh off their bye week after a spectacular start to the season, are going to Michigan to face Sherrone Moore’s boys. It’s a tale of opposites! The Wolverines have a lot to answer for. The Trojans have a lot to celebrate, especially their new-look defense under D’Anton Lynn’s stewardship. With the quarterback change, a bad Week 2 loss, and an iffy Week 3 win, Sherrone Moore’s stock hasn’t really seen an upward trend since he took over from Jim Harbaugh. Meanwhile, critics already predict that “USC is going to carve them up.” A former NFL player has also joined the crowd predicting a bad time for the home team.

Keyshawn Johnson, a former NFL player and a popular TV personality, shared his views on this upcoming matchup. Johnson started by praising USC’s improved defense, which might come as a shocker for the Michigan Wolverines. As per him, the Trojans are a kind of team Michigan has not seen within the conference. When the host asked about USC’s exposure to the Big House’s environment and how the USC will handle it, he said, “I understand the Big House is 100,000 people, the whole deal, but I don’t think it affects you. It doesn’t matter because if it’s packed, it’s going to be loud regardless of the stadium. We got you, Johnson. When you’re playing at your best, the surroundings don’t affect you as much.

Besides, Johnson highlighted that it’s the Lincoln Riley-led team’s first opportunity to be in the Big House playing in a different conference. What he says next will blow your mind. In response to the host’s question, “USC is favored; would you take that bet?” Johnson answered, “Yeah, that’s easy though.” They gonna f— Michigan up. They’re going to get ready to pour some oil on Michigan, something Michigan ain’t never seen before.”

These were some big words coming out of a USC alum. Given Michigan’s pathetic record in the 2024 season, anything can happen, especially after they lost against Texas.

Sherrone Moore’s headache may increase against USC

USC will have the upper hand with a 2-0 overall, whereas Michigan will enter with a 2-1 record in Sherrone Moore’s first year as Michigan head coach. USC had an impressive start to the season as they defeated LSU 27-20 away from home. They followed it with a 48-0 thumping of Utah in Week 2. A shutout on defense and an impressive offensive performance all around. Their starting QB, Miller Moss, has only grown in Riley’s offense since his Bowl performance in December’23.

On the other hand, a disappointing loss to Texas wounded Sherrone Moore’s team in their Week 2 matchup. Another disappointing offensive performance in a win against Arkansas forced Moore to change his starting quarterback. Alex Orji will start against the Trojans. The Wolverines haven’t confirmed if their injured tight end, Colston Loveland, will return for the USC game.

The whole focus is on if Orji can lead the Wolverines’ offense. However, Sherrone Moore must remember that the Trojans are coming off a game where they had over 500 yards on offense. The run game got USC 253 yards, lest we forget! Moore’s team leaked 389 yards on defense against Texas. And Lincoln Riley has always been hailed as an offensive genius. A similar leak and it may be curtains for Moore’s boys before they even play the second half. The resilience is required across the board, and Moore would hope that his team can do some justice to their national champion tag against the Trojans.

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