Maryland football vs. USC preview

The new conference foes meet for the first time in each program’s history.

Maryland football needs a rebound game to salvage its season after back-to-back losses. Unfortunately for the Terps, USC is a daunting opponent to do that against.

The Terps and Trojans face off for the first time — as conference opponents and otherwise — Saturday at SECU Stadium. Both teams need to build positive season momentum, and both have obstacles in their way.

USC’s biggest obstacle is the journey across the country. Big Ten teams that have traveled to West Coast conference opponents and West Coast teams that have traveled east for conference matches are a combined 3-11.

The game will kick off at 4 p.m. EST and be broadcasted on FS1.

USC Trojans (3-3, 1-3 Big Ten)

Any offense led by head coach Lincoln Riley is a threat to put up big numbers against any opponent. But USC has taken a step back in Riley’s first season without Caleb Williams.

The Trojans are averaging 30.7 points per game through six games — a strong number, but not close to the 41.8 per game they posted last season. Like Maryland, they come into Saturday off two straight losses: to Minnesota on the road and to No. 3 Penn State at home. Both contests were decided by one score.

Players to know

Miller Moss, redshirt junior quarterback, No. 7 — Moss has not lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him after a stellar starting debut in the 2023 Holiday Bowl, where he threw for 372 yards and a whopping six touchdowns in a 42-28 win over then-No. 19 Louisville.

But he’s still been a solid signal caller for the Trojans, marking a 63.7% completion percentage and 11 touchdowns through six games. Moss is turnover prone, though, throwing at least one interception in each of his last four games. Maryland’s pick-happy secondary could take advantage of that.

Woody Marks, redshirt senior running back, No. 4 — It’s hard to pick just one USC tailback to feature. Marks’ backup, redshirt freshman Quinten Joyner, is averaging 9.8 yards per carry this season. But Marks is the Trojans’ primary work horse and has more than enough talent to match.

Marks has 579 yards — over half after contact, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) — on 101 carries this season. He’s also an effective option as a pass catcher, with his 21 catches being tied for ninth in the country among running backs. He averages 9 yards on those receptions.

Zachariah Branch, sophomore wide receiver, No. 1 — The Trojans are loaded at wide receiver, but Branch is the standout among standouts. He’s a prototypical slot receiver, standing just 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, but don’t mistake his small frame for a weak one.

Branch is one of college football’s best run-after-catch threats. Nearly all of his receiving yards this season — 201 of 233, according to PFF — have come with the ball in his hands. Maryland deploys Glen Miller in the slot often, and Branch’s quickness could present issues for the bigger Miller. It will be interesting to see how Maryland defensive coordinator Brian Williams schemes for Branch.

That’s not even mentioning his abilities as a returner. His 20.8 yards per punt return led the nation in 2023, on 16 returns.

Jaylin Smith, senior cornerback, No. 2 — USC’s defense is far from the Big Ten’s strongest unit, but Smith is a stalwart in the back seven. He’s a physical corner, and his fearlessness tackling ballcarriers is contagious.

Smith has allowed just 56.3% of passes targeted his way to be completed, the second-lowest among USC defensive backs with at least 100 snaps.

Strength

Passing attack. Riley has been one of the country’s best play callers for nearly a decade since he took over at Oklahoma in 2015. Even though he no longer has a No. 1-overall-pick quarterback, worse passing games than USC’s have torched Maryland.

The Trojans average 280.7 passing yards a game and have three quality options at receiver in Branch, Ja’Kobi Lane and Kyron Hudson. Expect Riley to have no issues carving up the Terps’ lackluster secondary.

Weakness

Yards allowed on defense. The Trojans allow 349.8 total yards per game — fifth-most in the Big Ten — and a conference third-most 151.8 rushing yards per game. While 20.8 points per game allowed is not a bad mark, it could be a lot higher if not for a bend-don’t-break defense from USC when it matters.

Three things to watch

1. How does Maryland’s offense look in game two with a new play caller? Head coach Michael Locksley took over play calling duties last week after offensive coordinator Josh Gattis did so in every game since 2023. That led to a season-low 10 points against Northwestern. Whether that output was the product of rust is yet to be determined. Locksley has a lot to prove against USC.

2. Will any of Maryland’s “significant changes” be visible? Locksley said “significant” changes had been made within the program at Tuesday’s press conference. He declined to provide any details. Whether that means changing personnel, coaching or otherwise is yet to be determined, and it’s also yet to be determined if any of these changes will be visible against the Trojans.

3. Maryland needs an early lead. The Terps have failed to draw first blood each of the last two weeks. That’s put them behind the 8-ball in each game, and they’ve struggled to catch up. Coming back will be even harder against a USC offense that’s arguably the most prolific Maryland has faced yet. Getting ahead early is crucial for Maryland.