Nebraska Opponent Spring Review: USC
Nebraska vs. USC. In mid-November. What a world.
In a shifting college football landscape, this is an example of a clear benefit: Nebraska will play USC on Nov. 16 in Los Angeles. It’ll be a meeting of two iconic brands, and it could be a very close game.
The Trojans (8-5 last season, including 5-4 in the Pac-12) return five starters on offense, four on defense, as well as starters at kicker and punter.
To get more perspective on USC coming out of the spring, HuskerOnline caught up with veteran analyst Scott Schrader, publisher and head analyst for WeAreSC.com.
DB Ethan Nation no longer listed on Nebraska roster
via @EASPORTSCollege https://t.co/ZpwVqbtGCj pic.twitter.com/BuxJiihItc— USC Football (@uscfb) May 17, 2024
Spring Overview
The hottest topic of the spring was USC’s defense, which finished 116th nationally in average yards allowed per game in 2023 (432.8). Consequently, third-year Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley overhauled the defensive staff. D’Anton Lynn, formerly UCLA’s defensive coordinator, now holds the same job for USC and leads what appears to be a strong staff.
Early evaluations from spring indicate progress.
“I just think there’s a level of competency with the defensive staff now that I don’t think USC’s had since the Pete Carroll days,” said the 55-year-old Schrader.
Meanwhile, USC’s offense last season averaged 41.8 points (No. 3 nationally) and 467.0 yards (10th). But the defense’s repeated failures caused strain on the team, as one might expect.
Offensive Star: Ja’Kobi Lane
A 6-foot-4, 195-pound sophomore, Ja’Kobi Lane “possesses stuff you can’t teach,” Schrader said. “Everybody in college football is going to be familiar with his name by the end of the season.
“This spring, he was a guy who was talked about the most, and he was the guy who was pointed out to me the most.”
Last season, as a true freshman for USC, Lane saw action in six games, recording seven catches for 93 yards (13.3 ypc), with a long of 31 yards, and had two touchdowns.
Lane essentially may come out of nowhere, is Schrader’s thinking.
Defensive Star: Marcelles Williams
A true freshman cornerback from Carson, California, Marcelles Williams arguably had the strongest spring of anyone in the secondary, Schrader said.
“He’s not going to jump into the starting rotation,” Schrader said. “But he’s going to be a guy who’s going to make a big impact.”
A four-star recruit in the On3 Industry rankings, Williams first emerged for California football powerhouse Bellflower St. John Bosco as a sophomore when he recorded 42 tackles and seven pass breakups. Name a college football power, and it offered Williams a scholarship.
His rise will continue in 2024, Schrader predicts.
Biggest Question Mark: Can the Defensive Line Become Competent?
Sure, USC features 6-3, 313-pound junior Bear Alexander, who last season recorded 48 tackles, including 6 1/2 for losses (with 1 1/2 sacks).
“He really didn’t have a great year, but he’s a guy who could be great,” Schrader said. “They just had a lot of undersized guys (along the DL). It was just a bad recipe all across the line defensively. But they brought in a bunch of guys who are freshmen that will have to play this year.
“They were hoping to add two or three guys from the transfer portal, and kind of failed in that regard,” Schrader added. “They really haven’t added anybody (from the portal) in the interior part. So, the defensive line is going to be a big question mark. They have some dudes now, but they’re dudes who have not played.
“It’s never ideal to throw those guys into the fire right away.”
Key Newcomer/Transfer: RB Woody Marks
There are a bunch of key newcomers, but running back Woody Marks may be the most important, Schrader said.
In his four years at Mississippi State (2020-23), the 5-10, 210-pound Marks recorded 410 carries for 1,883 yards (4.6 ypc) and 22 touchdowns. He also tallied 214 receptions for 1,225 yards (4.8) and five more TDs. On special teams, he had 11 kickoff returns for 231 yards (21.0), with a long of 33 yards. All told, he appeared in 45 games with 32 starts.
“I think they really needed to bring in kind of a veteran guy,” Schrader said. “He’s one of those guys who does it all. He’s going to be a guy who can run the ball but also be a big-time pass-catching threat.”
Schrader feels Marks has NFL potential.
Early Outlook on Nebraska vs. USC
Schrader: “The strength of Nebraska was its defense last year. So, when I look at USC, there are question marks when you’re replacing Caleb Williams. USC now has a quarterback who’s basically started one game in Miller Moss. You don’t really know how the offense is going to turn out. On the other hand, Lincoln Riley’s really never had an issue racking up yards and points. The biggest issue is defense. Based on what I see right now, it’ll probably be a nailbiter game that comes down to the last possession. I feel like it’ll be that way for USC in several games.”
2024 Win-Loss Expectations for the Trojans
Schrader: “My outlook for the season is pretty high, probably higher than most, and I’m not like a USC fan. I went to UCLA, so I look at these things a little differently than most people. There are questions on USC’s defensive line, but it fortified its defense effectively from the transfer portal in the winter. You couple that with the defensive coaches they brought in, and there’s definitely reason to be optimistic. When I look at it all, I think 9-3 would be a good season, and that’s where I’m forecasting it right now.”
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