The USC Trojans‘ offense was one of the most impressive units in college football for yet another week. The Trojans’ defense definitely needs some improvements, but the Trojans are 2-0 heading into conference play. Here are my five takeaways from yet another dominant USC football victory:
Waymond Jordan is the real deal
Waymond Jordan exploded versus Georgia Southern Saturday, rushing for 167 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Jordan put up a stellar average of 10.4 yards per carry. His explosiveness was on full display all night; Clay Helton’s Eagles had no answer for him. This was Jordan’s first 100-yard rushing game, with many more to come. Waymond Jordan really looked like Ashton Jeanty 2.0 Saturday. USC hopes that continues, and that he has a Jeanty-level season.
Jayden Maiava Heisman talk will continue to grow
Maiava had a performance a step above his dominant first half debut in Week 1. Lincoln Riley has done a great job with Maiava, helping him refine his game as a passer. For Week 2 Maiava threw for 412 yards and 4 touchdowns on 66% completion rate. He is the key to the Trojans’ offense being unstoppable; so far he has been unstoppable. With the numbers he is putting up, he will be a Heisman finalist if USC wins 10 or more games.
The Trojans have the best WR duo in country
Both Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon had dominant days versus Georgia Southern. Lane put up 3 catches for 91 yards and a potential candidate for catch of the year on his one-handed receiving touchdown. Makai Lemon had an explosive day racking up 4 catches for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns. So far Lemon is 6th in college football in receiving yards with 248. No matter how good a defense the Trojans play, these two weapons are going to get open and make plays. These two can help the Trojans beat some really good teams this year.
The Trojans have the best offense in the Big Ten
Many offenses have struggled in the Big Ten in the first two games at some point. That has not been the case for the USC Trojans. They had 755 total yards and put up 59 points on Saturday. Jayden Maiava is continuing to play really efficient, leading this explosive offense the way Lincoln Riley has intended. The run game for the Trojans finally hit its full stride. The Trojans will be able to outscore most teams they play this year. The scary realization is the Trojans’ offense is still not yet a finished product.
The Trojans’ defense could be an issue
The Trojans won big, but the defense was less than impressive. The Trojans gave up too many big plays and points versus a mid-tier opponent. The run defense looked very gettable, and the Trojans’ secondary had problems multiple times in this game limiting big plays. If this game was against any formidable Big Ten team, the score would look very different. The Trojans’ defensive line is getting after the quarterback, but as the Trojans head into conference play the linebackers and secondary need to step up.
