Game Day Guide: What you need to know for Nebraska-USC
Well, here we are again. It’s November. Nebraska is 5-4 and one win away — still — from a bowl game berth.
Well, here we are again. It’s November. Nebraska is 5-4 and one win away — still — from a bowl game berth.
Is today the day?
Both Nebraska and USC come into this matchup following a bye week. Both have also been struggling a bit in conference play — Nebraska is 2-4, while USC is 2-5 (4-5 overall) — yet the Trojans are a touchdown favorite in this one. USC has played much better this season when at home — the Trojans are 3-1 at home, versus 0-4 on the road – which certainly makes things more difficult for Nebraska walking into this matchup.
Regardless, both teams have made some changes in the bye weeks to hopefully jumpstart their Novembers. For Nebraska, that was promoting offensive analyst Dana Holgorsen into the offensive coordinator role for the remaining three games. He’ll handle play calling, while former OC Marcus Satterfield focuses entirely on the tight ends room.
As for USC, the Trojans made a change at quarterback. Sophomore Jayden Maiava will get the start over Miller Moss, which USC hopes will bring a much-needed spark to its offense. Maiava transferred to USC from UNLV, where he threw 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season. What makes him different from Moss is what he’s able to do with his legs.
Speaking of quarterbacks, Nebraska expects starter Dylan Raiola to play against the Trojans. Raiola was injured late in the game against UCLA.
"Dylan is ready to go. Great week of practice," coach Matt Rhule said on Thursday.
Nebraska is still traveling four quarterbacks to Los Angeles, including backup Heinrich Haarberg, who Rhule said earlier in the week would prep to play too. It’s clear the Huskers want the safety net, just in case. It’s hard to know specifics though, because Rhule was the only one to speak to the media this week.
Gotta keep the intrigue. See you this afternoon.
Everything you need to know for Nebraska-USC:
TV Channel: FOX (Jason Benetti, Brock Huard, Allison Williams)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 16
Time: 3 p.m. CT
Live Stream: FoxSports.com (with TV provider)
Radio: Huskers Radio Network
Location: L.A. Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Weather: Mainly sunny. High of 67F degrees. Winds light and variable.
Line: USC -7.5
Over/Under: 51
Notable quotes:
Matt Rhule on Holgorsen as offensive coordinator:
“I think Dana has stepped right in. It’s still the same language. He’s adapting to everything that we do. For the players it’s still the same thing, it's just someone new in the mix. All the coaches are still coaching their guys. It’s a fresh perspective on what we were doing and I think he has gotten along well with the players and the players have practiced well this week.”
Rhule on a new offensive plan:
“It’s really been, for me, just being flexible in terms of, ‘Hey Coach, what do you need? Do you need an extra meeting here? Do you need to practice this way? It’s what I’ve always liked to do. I’ve never been very rigid with those things. I always liken it to, if you’re a golfer and you’re struggling off the tee, you don’t want to take a chipping lesson, you want to work on your driver. To me, it’s always being flexible in the process of what we need and adapting to Dana (Holgorsen) and what he needs to get ready, but also, he’s obviously adapted to the situation that he’s in. I give a lot of credit to him. He didn’t have to do this. He didn’t have to step in at this point. But I think he sees the challenge in it and he also sees the opportunity. The same thing for us. Obviously, it’s a little bit of a challenge, but I see a tremendous opportunity here. I have to be flexible, he has to be flexible. It’s been fun, to be quite honest with you. It’s been a great week, really two weeks, to make this thing work. We’ll go out there on Saturday, we’ll play. What I’m very sure of is that we'll get better every single day. I think we have a really good setup.”
USC coach Lincoln Riley on Holgorsen:
"It's hard. I don't know if I want to speculate because you're not there and don't know the entire situation. I mean, your first thought is obviously I don't think it's going to be a radically new system. I'm sure there's going to be some things different or why make the change to begin with, because it's obviously a unique change and timing with somebody that wasn't on staff there before. You've seen it obviously all over the place with people that are in-house that maybe change responsibilities, but no, we're obviously really close, we've known each other for a long time, a lot of hours, a lot of great memories together, and then in the last several years we've ended up coaching against each other quite a bit. No, if Coach Rhule was going to do this with anybody, he's one of the first guys you'd think about it. He's a great offensive mind and obviously about as accomplished as they come on that side."
Riley on coaching against Holgorsen again:
"I was surprised, honestly. I'd heard he had gone there, but I didn't have any idea whether that would happen or not. I was a little surprised because, I mean, Coach Rhule obviously has a lot of trust in him and I'd understand why. If you're going to do it, you've got to do it with somebody that has the experience and success level that Dana's had."
Riley on switching quarterbacks:
“Well, just, I think when you got two guys in the room that the team respects, it’s a fine line between – you’re there for your teammates on both accounts, right? And that’s what we have. We got a room with a couple of guys that the whole team respects, and it’s, unfortunately, it’s part of competitive sports. And it’s part of how it plays out, and everybody’s going to be a part of that in some form or fashion. As you go on in your career, it’s just, you’re going to come up against that at some point. So I think the – players and kids, are, they’re resilient, you know what I mean? Like, the end of the day, they want to go play ball. They’re excited to go play Nebraska. I think the team is ready to go with whoever's behind center."
Other games we’re watching this week:
(All games in CT)
Erin
No. 25 Tulane at Navy, 11 a.m., ESPN2
It’s an AAC matchup for the ages! Well, sort of. Tulane would love a win, because it would secure a spot in the AAC Championship Game. Will that happen? It seems like this one is Tulane’s to lose, but it should still be fun. Plenty of running, if you’re a run the ball kind of person. Enjoy.
No. 23 Missouri at No. 21 South Carolina, 3:15 p.m., SEC Network
It starts up front in this one, that’s for sure. So far this season, South Carolina ranks third nationally with 33 total sacks while averaging 3.67 sacks per game. The Gamecocks are also top 15 in FBS with 69 tackles for loss and 7th with 7.67 negative plays per game. So, that’s tough, especially with Missouri looking at a new QB for the week.
No. 7 Tennessee at No. 12 Georgia, 6:30 p.m., ABC
A game of attrition? Georgia running back Trevor Etienne — who just happens to be the leading rusher — is out for this one. Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava remains questionable heading into Saturday’s matchup, so there is certainly plenty of unknown here. Injury report aside, there is plenty on the line with the College Football Playoffs here. We’ll see what happens.
Brandon
Utah at No. 17 Colorado, 11 a.m., FOX
What kind of odds would you put on Colorado becoming the toast of the town with Nebraska fading from relevance in the 24 hours after the Huskers stomped the Buffs? Well, it's happened. Colorado looks legit good and, entering Saturday, Nebraska looks occasionally good. Utah's dealing with a ton of injuries, and I expect the Buffs (-11) to win pretty easily but I'll be tuning in just to see if this alternate reality is just reality now.
No. 22 LSU at Florida, 2:30 p.m., ABC
How does LSU, its playoff hopes all but dashed, respond to a trip to The Swamp? Not well is my guess. Florida might have QB DJ Lagway available and if it does the Gators (+3.5) might be drastically undervalued at home. The Gators got smoked last week in the immediate aftermath of Billy Napier's death-row reprieve. I think you might see the team respond to that news this week.
Arizona State at No. 16 Kansas State, 6 p.m., ESPN
Not enough people have recognized it yet, but the Sun Devils' rebuild under Kenny Dillingham is ahead of schedule. After going 3-9 a year ago while choosing to redshirt a ton of guys, ASU is 7-2 with two one-score losses. Beating Kansas State in Manhattan might be too big of an ask, but I won't be surprised if Arizona State (+7.5) keeps things interesting.