Nebraska-USC Preview with Brandon Jones, Host of the Light the Torch (USC) Podcast

T.J. Birkel

Nebraska heads to Los Angeles on Saturday for a showdown against USC at the Coliseum. The Huskers are 0-4-1 all time against the Trojans, and will be looking for that crucial sixth win to secure bowl eligibility. USC, who like Nebraska will be coming off a bye week, came into the season as a college football playoff contender. They are currently 4-5, having suffered multiple heartbreaking 4th quarter losses. It should be a fascinating matchup, as both teams are trying to salvage once-promising seasons. 

On behalf of the Common Fan podcast, here are three keys to victory for the Huskers, and two keys to victory for all the fellow Common Fans. 

NEBRASKA’S KEYS TO VICTORY

Find Something on Offense. After the shocking announcement earlier this week that Dana Holgorsen would be taking over as Nebraska’s offensive coordinator and play caller, this will be the first test for the new-look offense. How different will it be? How much of an impact can Holgorsen have after only two weeks with the team? It’s a fascinating story, one with implications not only for the remainder of this season but for next season as well. 

There may be lots of questions around the Holgorsen-led offense, but this much is true: if the Huskers are going to find at least one more win to get back to a bowl game for the first time since 2016, they’ll need more from the offense. The defense has been good for most of the season; even great at times. It’s time for the offense to hold up their end of the bargain. It shouldn’t take the defense being perfect for Nebraska to win. I’m hoping Holgorsen can help simplify things, drill down on what the Huskers do really well, and add some wrinkles that can help keep the offense on the field and ultimately get points once they’re in the red zone. Bringing in Holgorsen was an unconventional and risky move by Rhule; maybe it’s just crazy enough to work. 

Contain the Running Quarterback. It feels like running quarterbacks have been giving Nebraska fits since the Clinton Administration. And so of course, right on cue, USC has decided to replace starting quarterback Miller Moss with backup Jayden Maiava, a dual threat QB. Maiava was the 2023 Mountain West Freshman of the Year for UNLV last season. He completed over 63% of his passes for 3,085 yards and 17 touchdowns, and rushed for 277 yards on 73 carries, scoring three touchdowns. Coach Rhule seemed to indicate in the press conference that Nebraska isn’t totally sure…

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