The USC Trojans, especially with Lincoln Riley, lack the ability to put teams away. The lesser Big Ten opponents they faced had opportunities to make games closer due to the Trojans’ mistakes. Obviously, having a big gap in talent covers that up for USC, but against Illinois, bad habits resulted in the Trojans losing their first game of the season.
The Trojans’ upcoming opponent, the Michigan Wolverines, struggle with the same thing. In his final takeaway from Saturday’s game against Wisconsin, Wolverine’s Wire writer Isaiah Hole analyzed one key factor the Trojans can use to their benefit to win Saturday. Here are his thoughts on the Trojans’ opponent:
“Saturday ended up being a comfortable win, but it was just a few mistakes away from a blowout. The same thing could have been said against Nebraska two weeks ago. Same with New Mexico in Week 1. Like with special teams, the lack of killer instinct and burying a team when a team can be buried is holding the Wolverines back. The first half featured a four-and-out and two three-and-outs. In the two three-and-outs, Michigan got nine and eight yards — close to extending the drive, but not close enough. The Wolverines were 3-for-5 in the red zone on Saturday (granted, the game ended with Michigan in prime scoring position). The missed field goal by Zvada was in the red zone, as well. The fumbled snap by Bryce Underwood was just outside of the red zone. Two drops (one by H-back Max Bredeson and the other by Kendrick Bell) would have resulted in big first downs if they caught the ball.
“There were points left on the table, and such was the case in Lincoln, too. Michigan has to take advantage of the situations it finds itself in. That was a difference between some of the more successful teams and the moribund team of a year ago. Everything is right there for the maize and blue this year, even with Underwood still growing into his role. But the Wolverines feel a year or two away, in large part due to not seeming to have the ability to put teams away when they have the chance.”
It will be a battle to see who can give the other team more opportunities to win the game. In a game like that, I honestly am more concerned about the Trojans than Michigan; however, they have a good opportunity in front of them to display that killer instinct. For the Trojans, they can look to their physical back, Waymond Jordan, to give Michigan a taste of their own medicine to put this game away.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Michigan vs USC might be decided by which team makes fewer mistakes
Reporting by Micah Huff, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
