Huntington Bank Stadium will contain some foreign objects Saturday night. Granted, that’s if those items can pass through a security checkpoint.
No, the 11th-ranked Southern California football team hasn’t lost either. In fact, they will play against the Gophers as one of four new West Coast members of the Big Ten Conference. This will be the first time Minnesota will play conference games against USC, UCLA, Oregon State and Washington State.
Yes, USC’s explosive play offense could make its way into the stadium gates. Using the weapon in the conference as part of a dynamic passing game is acceptable even if the US hasn’t seen the weapon in a while.
Yes, the Trojan tuba and other horn instruments are made of metal, but they can still sneak past detectors and into the venue. University of Southern California brings marching band on road trip to Minnesota. This will be the ensemble’s first visit inside the Gophers’ stadium since Penn State’s pep band traveled west in 2019.
The Gophers’ goal is to limit the Trojans’ marching band’s ability to play the iconic “Fight On!” song after kickoff on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
On paper, Minnesota’s defense allows the fewest passing yards per game in the nation (96.8), but that’s largely due to poor or indifferent opposing passing offenses (Michigan, Iowa). , North Carolina).
America previously faced just 22 pass attempts per game (seventh fewest in the nation), but that’s over. The Trojans are averaging 43 pitches per game (second-most in the nation). USC is averaging less than 100 passing yards per game, while USC is averaging more than 300 through yards per game.
“It’s been the complete opposite,” Gophers defensive coordinator Corey Heatherman said of the U’s resume so far this season. “Here’s what I want to say: They’re doing a really good job of running the football. We went in expecting it to be pass, pass, pass. That’s not the case. They’re doing a good job of running the football. They were very balanced.”
Still, Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck is convinced that USC’s tough air-it challenge is why he decided to take the sunny Southern California program to Minnesota in late November when the weather is cold and snowy. I quipped that I wanted him to come. Unfortunately, temperatures are predicted to reach 70 degrees during prime time, similar to LA. The Trojans are 9.5-point favorites.
Quarterback Miller Moss replaced former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft, Caleb Williams, who is currently with the Chicago Bears. Moss completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,198 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. He scored in a come-from-behind 38-21 win over Wisconsin last week at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
“Athletic” was the word most used to describe USC among college coaches and players this week. The Trojans have playmakers, especially at wide receiver in speedster Zachariah Branch and imposing Jacobi Lane. Running backs Woody Marks and Quinten Joyner can also make things happen on the ground.
The Gophers will have to work hard. All three losses this season involved double-digit missed tackles.
“Technically, it remains in sound condition both within our surveillance range and visually,” said safety director Coleman Bryson. “On a team like that, you’ve got all kinds of explosive playmakers on the field that can injure anyone at any time. I mean, everybody on the field, all 11 guys, are doing what they’re doing. It means you have to focus on it. You can’t go wrong.”
If the Gophers can’t stop the Trojans’ passing game, the sound of “Fight On!” The issues arising from Section 202 can be a headache for many people.
