USC football scored 73 points in a season-opening win. Did this mean the Trojans were one of the biggest winners in Week 1 of the new college football season in a USA TODAY Sports review of the past weekend? Not quite. The attention went not to USC, but to Ohio State, which got a big writeup (deservedly) for its win over Texas and Arch Manning:
“The win against Texas will reinsert the defending national champions atop the US LBM Coaches Poll as the Longhorns tumble down the rankings. But that’s just the beginning. It’s difficult to overstate the long-term impact the result of Saturday’s season opener will have on both teams along with the Big Ten and SEC, especially in how the selection committee eventually assesses the Buckeyes, Longhorns and these two conferences.
“Playing with a reworked roster and coaching staff, the Buckeyes squeezed just enough from an unimposing offense to score the type of victory that will linger deep into the regular season and beyond. While games against Penn State and Michigan will determine the Big Ten, the odds of Ohio State making the playoff in some capacity have increased dramatically.
“There’s plenty of improvement needed on the offensive end after the Buckeyes gained just 203 yards on 3.8 yards per play, including only 2.3 yards per carry. Before Saturday, the Buckeyes’ fewest yards in a regular-season game since 2016 was 252 yards in last year’s loss to Michigan. By default, Julian Sayin outplayed Manning by avoiding turnovers and focusing his attention on star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who had a game-high six receptions.”
Ohio State beat Texas. USC beat Missouri State. The Trojans will get national attention if they can beat up the Big Ten. USC just has to improve and do what it can control.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC isn’t getting national attention for crushing Missouri State
Reporting by Matt Zemek / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
