Nebraska (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten) is set to face Southern California (4-5, 2-5) this Saturday at 4 p.m. EST on FOX. BetMGM has placed the odds in favor of USC by 8.5 points. In terms of historical performance, USC maintains a 4-0-1 lead in their series record against Nebraska.
Both teams have rich histories in college football, but their current matchup holds more significance for postseason aspirations than for national championship dreams. Nebraska’s last two seasons under coach Matt Rhule have ended without a bowl game, and they aim to break a three-game losing streak while trying to qualify for their first postseason play since 2016. To shake things up, Rhule has announced the appointment of Dana Holgorsen, former head coach for West Virginia and Houston, to replace offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield. Meanwhile, USC is also struggling in Lincoln Riley’s third season, having recently made a quarterback change during their bye week. Given their upcoming rivalry games with UCLA and Notre Dame, a loss here could greatly diminish the Trojans’ chances of postseason play.
A critical aspect of this matchup will be the performance of USC quarterback Jayden Maiava against Nebraska’s defense. Maiava steps in for Miller Moss and poses a challenge for the Cornhuskers, particularly as he is the fourth dual-threat quarterback they will have faced this season. Nebraska’s defense has encountered issues defending against mobile quarterbacks, having allowed several significant rushing gains, including a 57-yard run by UCLA’s Ethan Garbers in their most recent game.
Key players to watch include Nebraska’s quarterback Dylan Raiola, who is the top-rated recruit for the program. His entry into the Big Ten has been turbulent, and he is currently recovering from an injury sustained in the game against UCLA on November 2. Despite this, Rhule has confirmed that Raiola will lead the offense. It will be a tough situation for a team shifting to a new offensive scheme under Holgorsen, especially with Raiola struggling with turnovers, throwing six interceptions in his last four appearances.
For USC, Jayden Maiava is expected to jumpstart their offense. As a redshirt freshman at UNLV, he played 14 games last season, amassing 3,085 passing yards along with 17 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. With his mobility surpassing that of Moss, the Trojans hope that Maiava’s athleticism can compensate for their inconsistent offensive line performance.
In terms of historical context, USC and Nebraska hold a combined total of 16 national championships, with the Trojans claiming 11 of those titles. Both institutions have seen success in consecutive championships, with Nebraska achieving back-to-back titles in 1970-71 and 1994-95, while USC accomplished this in 1931-32 and 2003-04. The last competition between these teams was the 2014 Holiday Bowl, where USC triumphed 45-42. Notably, Nebraska has yet to defeat USC in two or more matchups. In a nod to their history, USC will wear throwback jerseys inspired by their undefeated national champion team from 1972.