Last Week at The Wolverine Den
Tailgate Attendance
32
Michigan 13 - Southern California 31
LA Memorial Coliseum
October 5, 2024 - 4:30 p.m. PT
Tailgate Pictures
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Game Preview
The Michigan Wolverines travel to Los Angeles, California to take in the Southern California Trojans on Saturday. This is a critical game for Michigan. First, it is a road game and winning on the road in the Big Ten is very difficult. Second, while Michigan is improving, a loss at this stage of the season could cause a ripple effect that could affect more games down the road. Finally, after losing at Oklahoma, another loss would cripple the Wolverine's chances of reaching the College Football Playoffs.
Pre-Game Menu
Filet Mignon
Twice Baked Potatoes
Salad
Snacks
USC runs an offense that Michigan rarely sees: the Air Raid. Head coach Lincoln Riley is one of the best at this unique offense that features no huddle, 4-5 wide receivers and wide splits on the offensive line. It is designed to throw quick passes and allow fast receivers to make yards after the catch. It is also a very good rushing offense because the defense is so spread out. QB Jayden Maiava is 3rd in the nation with 338 passing yards per game. He is 4th is passing efficiency and the Trojans are 2nd in total offense at 565 yards per game.
The USC defense is better but still not a strength. In Lincoln Riley's first year at USC, the defense gave up 34.4 points per game. So he went out and hired the best defensive coordinator he could find in D'Anton Lynn (from rival UCLA). Last year, Lynn helped improve the defense dramatically, giving up only 24.1 points per game. This year, the Trojans are giving up 23 points. Not great, but much better.
The Wolverine Den Trivia
Q: Michigan has beaten USC twice in the Rose Bowl. Who were the starting quarterbacks for Michigan in those two wins?
A: The Michigan QB for the 1948 Rose Bowl win over USC was Howard Yerges, although halfback Bob Chappuis threw TD passes in the game won by Michigan 49-0. The QB in the 1989 Rose Bowl was Demetrius Brown who led Michigan to a 22-14 win over USC.
USC is going to score points. The key for Michigan is to tackle. The short passing game is only effective if the receivers catch the ball and run for yardage after the catch. Or even better for Michigan, control the ball and don't give them many possessions. Last year, Michigan held USC to 24 points. Something in that range is required to put this one in the left column.
Michigan has a 5-6 record all time against USC, with all 6 of the losses coming in the Rose Bowl. The only game ever played in the Coliseum was in 1957, a 16-6 win for Michigan. USC is 13-12 in their last 25 games. This is a game that we should win.
The Wolverines are a 2½-point underdog.
Post-Game Summary
The Michigan Wolverines lost to the University of Southern California 31-13. It is the 2nd loss of the season, both in road games. While the offense only scored 13 points, it was the defense that really lost the game. Michigan allowed 489 yards of total offense, the most since the last time we played an air raid offense, when TCU piled up 528 yards in the College Football Playoff semifinal of 2022. The defense had zero sacks and only one pass break up. We had zero return yardage and had punts of 33, 28 and 36 yards, giving the Trojans favorable field position. With so much on the line, it was a very disappointing performance.
The Wolverines also lost running back Justice Haynes for the majority of the game due to an apparent rib injury. Jordan Marshall became the lead back in Haynes's absence. But we certainly need our top rusher for the upcoming games.
Steve's Prediction
30-28
Brown's Prediction
31-27
Craig's Prediction
27-21
Tim's Prediction
28-21
Brown 21, Steve 18, Craig 12½, Tim 8½