The USC Trojans and Minnesota Golden Gophers will clash in an exciting Big Ten matchup on Saturday, as both teams look to solidify their conference standings. USC, at 3-1, is coming off a solid 38-21 victory over Wisconsin, where they overcame a slow start and put up 28 unanswered points in the second half. Quarterback Miller Moss has been the catalyst for the Trojans’ offense, throwing for over 1,198 yards and eight touchdowns through four games. The Trojans’ passing game is complemented by running back Woody Marks, who has been effective both on the ground and in short-yardage situations. Minnesota, on the other hand, has had a tumultuous start to the season, standing at 2-3 after a tough 27-24 loss to Michigan last week.

The Golden Gophers showed resilience by scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter against Michigan, but their late comeback fell short. Quarterback Max Brosmer has shown flashes of brilliance, throwing for 1,094 yards and six touchdowns, but turnovers have been an issue. The Golden Gophers’ ground game, led by Darius Taylor, has been inconsistent, making it difficult to sustain drives. The key to this matchup will be whether Minnesota’s defense can slow down USC’s high-powered offense. The Golden Gophers are allowing just 15.4 points per game but have struggled against more explosive teams like Michigan. Meanwhile, USC’s defense has been solid, giving up just 17 points per game and excelling at creating pressure. If the Trojans can establish their offense early and keep Minnesota from gaining momentum, USC should be able to control the pace and secure a road victory