USC football, looking like a very competent and highly-ranked team, had an easy time of it against Utah State. There was a reason this game was scheduled after LSU, on a short week after a draining win against a top SEC program. USC was able to manage just fine with only five days between games. The late kickoff was also good because USC was spared the full force of the heat wave sweeping through Los Angeles and the West. The Trojans’ report card for this game will involve a few As, but not across the board. There is still plenty for this team to clean up, and with Michigan coming up, we need to point out that USC playing at this level against Utah State might not translate to Ann Arbor in two weeks. Higher grades will always be given for wins against top opponents. We can’t call this a great game if there were points left on the table.
With that in mind, here is the USC football report card for the blowout victory over Utah State:
WIDE RECEIVERS — D
![Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (8)] gestures after a first down in the second half against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/gbMy9NVCi5Gs09sOgH6szQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/images/smg/2024/09/02/SMGW/75046168007-USATSI_24136791.jpeg)
In a surprise, the USC receivers did not play well. This was the worst position group by far on Saturday. Every other unit was at least moderately good, if not great.
Trojan receivers continue to get their hands on passes and allow defenders to rake the ball away. These sequences are occurring in the red zone or on deep balls. These plays need to be made in the bigger upcoming games on the schedule. This grade is not harsh. It is a message that this level of play won’t be good enough versus Michigan, Penn State, and Notre Dame. Are we wrong? No.
OFFENSIVE LINE — B
USC needed to run block. The Trojans did that. It’s only Utah State, so no A grade, but this was good and a positive step. Solid B.
MILLER MOSS — C-plus
No interceptions for Moss, but the red zone needs to be better. Moss forced a few throws to Duce Robinson instead of looking across the field. A few deep balls were underthrown. We haven’t seen him connect on long passes in which he hits receivers in stride. Moss would readily admit there’s ample room for improvement.
RUNNING BACKS — A
We can give these guys a max grade. They were great. Fast, explosive, tough, making the right reads and cuts. This was very sharp stuff from multiple guys in the running back room. Top marks for Woody Marks and all the rest.
DEFENSIVE LINE — A-minus
The D-line set the tone by stuffing the run and pressuring the quarterback. Utah State popped off a few runs of more than 10 yards, however, so there’s still room to grow heading to Michigan in two weeks.
LINEBACKERS — A-minus
No Mason Cobb, no problem. Trojans flocked to the ball and remained in the right positions with very few exceptions. We will stop short of a full “A” because Utah State did not have the athletes to test USC.
SECONDARY — B-plus
The front four and linebackers did so much work that Utah State rarely attempted a downfield pass of any kind. The secondary didn’t do anything exceptional, but that was because the front line did so much of the work and therefore deserves a slightly higher grade.
DEFENSE — A
While we won’t give a straight A to any one defensive position group, we can surely give an A — no minus — to the defense as a whole. Pitching a shutout? Can’t get better than that.
D’ANTON LYNN — A+
Two words: Rock. Star.
D’Anton Lynn already has this team playing great ball. If USC carries this level to Michigan, it has a great shot to win.
MATT ENTZ — A
Sure tackling. Great positioning. Solid instincts. Linebackers are locked in. Again.
DOUG BELK — B-plus
Don’t view this as an implied or veiled criticism of Belk, who is doing a very good job along with Taylor Mays in the secondary. It’s simply a reflection of the reality that the front and the linebackers were busier and did more of the work versus Utah State.
LINCOLN RILEY — B-plus
Riley is doing well, but he has to be better in the red zone. Fix that, and USC is cooking.
JOSH HENSON — B
Henson’s line did well this week. If USC can run block against Michigan, we will really know this O-line is ready to be good.
BIG TEN NETWORK — A+
Big Ten Network production values were great. The respect for USC on the broadcast was considerable. It’s not Pac-12 Network. What more can we ask for?
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football report card for dominant win over Utah State
