To many college football fans, Miller Moss wasn’t a household name. Moss was the 15th-ranked quarterback in the 2021 class when he committed to USC football. The redshirt sophomore has been USC’s backup to Caleb Williams for the past two seasons. Having two seasons in Lincoln Riley’s system has its benefits, just ask Kyler Murray. Add in the fact that USC’s last game was over a month ago, it should’ve been no surprise that Moss went off.
Moss threw for four touchdowns in the first half against 15th-ranked Louisville. Moss’ stat line at the night’s end was 23-33 for 372 yards with 6 touchdowns and 1 interception. Even though his stat line was ridiculous, he played better than his stats. Moss was terrific under pressure. His first touchdown specifically showed it, when he moved back and made an off-platform throw over the middle.
Moss’s third touchdown was a side-armed throw into the endzone. The Caleb-esque throw made USC football fans start to be optimistic about the future with Moss (more on that later). My favorite of all the touchdowns was his sixth touchdown. A 50-yard toss to Duce Robinson. Moss threw with accuracy to all levels of the field. He showed a sort of mastery of the Lincoln Riley system despite only getting 3.7 yards per carry from his backfield.
Did this game mean anything?
Entering the game Louisville were 7-point favorites. The game opt-outs totaled 11 for Louisville and 21 for USC. Joel Klatt called this game a “one-game season,” which makes sense considering all the opt-outs. Plus each team will have new transfers and new freshmen next year. Despite criticism, Lincoln Riley’s team looked well-prepared and motivated to win. After a disappointing loss in the ACC championship game to Florida State, it’s understandable to see how Louisville didn’t get up for this one. It is baffling to wonder how Florida State only managed 13 points against this defense, while USC, with a backup quarterback, hung 42 on them.
I’m not the only one who wondered about that fact. However, context does matter. Louisville was playing for an ACC championship and a possible “New Year’s Six,” bowl game against Florida State. While they weren’t playing for anything against USC. None of Louisville’s defensive opt-outs had made more than 23 tackles.
Miller Moss’ future
First, let us assess Moss’ options as a college football quarterback. Moss could parlay this one-game gem into some NIL dollars. He could enter the transfer portal and go to a place where he is guaranteed to start. However, Moss is a local Southern California kid who probably grew up a USC football fan. He may want to stick this one out considering five-star prospect Malachi Nelson has entered the transfer portal.
If Nelson leaves, this isn’t a good sign for Moss’ future. It would leave Lincoln Riley needing to add a quarterback in the transfer portal for depth purposes. USC has been linked to former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard. Howard threw for 24 touchdowns this past season and ran for 10 more. Howard did end up visiting USC as one of his official visits.
Lincoln Riley commented on Moss’ performance after the win Wednesday night jokingly saying: “He did a great job. Shoot, he may have scared off anybody that would want to come here anyway.” Riley seems to value continuity in college football at the quarterback position. Caleb Williams had a year in Riley’s system before joining him at USC. Miller Moss will have the upper hand against any incoming transfer.
USC quarterback Miller Moss threw six touchdowns Wednesday night against Louisville in San Diego, California. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
USC football’s future
USC football won eight games once in four seasons preceding Lincoln Riley’s arrival. However, more was expected this season, but it was made clear that USC needs to fix its defense. Firing defensive coordinator Alex Grinch in-season was a solid start. USC brought in UCLA defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn to fill the Trojans’ empty slot. In an under-the-radar move, USC also added North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz. Entz will be the linebackers coach after leading the Bison to two FCS National Championships.
With all this brain power entering USC on the defensive side of the ball, USC should be better on defense. Still, it is clear that no matter who is playing quarterback they will have success in Lincoln Riley’s system.
Entering their first year in the Big Ten, USC doesn’t have an easy schedule on paper. They open in Las Vegas against LSU. They play at Washington and Michigan while hosting Penn State, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame. However, Michigan could be without Harbaugh and most of their starters. While Washington will be without Michael Pennix Jr.
USC football should aim to make the first-ever 12-team expanded playoffs next season. In this year’s final college football playoff rankings, the 12th team finished 10-2. This means the Trojans should shoot for that record if they want in. I won’t call next season a “big year,” for Lincoln Riley. After all, he signed a 10-year contract when he moved from Oklahoma to USC. Trojans’ fans should be patient heading into year three, generally, it does take some time for big-time programs to get back to their glory days.
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