# USC is still waiting for a real test

> The Trojans are 2-0, atop the Big Ten, and 30.5-point favorites over Louisiana, so the tune-up continues.
- Title: USC is still waiting for a real test · California Post
- Summary: The Trojans are 2-0, atop the Big Ten, and 30.5-point favorites over Louisiana, so the tune-up continues. USC's early schedule has hidden what still needs…
- Keywords: usc football, college football, lincoln riley, big ten, jayden maiava, news, entertainment, USC, still, waiting, real, test
- Source: California Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/11/sports/usc-football-5-things-watch-trojans-look-bury-louisiana
- Published: 2026-09-11T19:16:52+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: usc football, college football, lincoln riley, big ten, jayden maiava, news, entertainment
## Two games in, still preseason
USC has handled its first two opponents so easily that the season barely feels started. The only blemish was a fourth-quarter meltdown against San Jose State that changed nothing.

> Wait, you mean these games count?
## Alone atop the Big Ten
The No. 14 Trojans sit first in the conference standings at 2-0, mostly because they have played one more game than everyone else. A 30.5-point spread over Louisiana should keep them there.
## Patterson's defense is working
New coordinator Gary Patterson got USC its first shutout since 2024. The Trojans have now held opponents scoreless in the first half of back-to-back games for the first time since 2009.

> He makes things challenging on the other side.
## A real quarterback arrives
Louisiana opened with a 38-7 win over Lamar, splitting 254 rushing yards and 231 passing. Riley called Ragin' Cajuns quarterback Lunch Winfield the most athletic passer USC has seen yet.

> far and away the most athletic quarterback that we've seen up to this point
## The run game has no gears
USC averages 152 rushing yards a game, but nothing breaks loose. Waymond Jordan's longest carry is 16 yards and King Miller's is 10.

> we've missed some opportunities for explosives that we certainly want to have in the run game
## Maiava's best stat is the bench
Jayden Maiava has completed 88.9% of his passes for 635 yards, five touchdowns and no picks, with one sack taken. He has not thrown a fourth-quarter pass all year because the leads are too big.
## Reinforcements may debut
Defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart could return from a foot injury. Tight end Tucker Ashcraft, safety Peyton Dyer and receiver Terrell Anderson are all pushing for their first game of the season.
## Riley works the crowd
A coach with a standoffish reputation stayed at the Coliseum after the last game to talk with fans, and says he wants it to become a habit.

> it's just continuing to bring people in and continuing to circle the wagons around USC football
## Key takeaway

USC's early schedule has hidden what still needs fixing: no explosive runs, and a defense that has not faced a real quarterback yet.