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TROJAN TAKEAWAYS

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Missouri State Post Game Thoughts
⏰ August 30th


- Second Podcast Episode:


Missouri State & Georgia Southern Recap Purdue Preview
⏰ September 9th

- Projected starting Nickel / Corner Prophet Brown "is out for the first half of the season" per Lincoln Riley due to a non-contact injury

- Projected started O linemen DJ Wingfield loses his lawsuit with NCAA and will NOT play this year. 

*Website updated every Tuesday*

THIS WEEKS MATCHUP:

Vs. Missouri State

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Game Information

This week, on Saturday, August 30th, The USC Trojans will take on The Missouri State Bears at the USC Coliseum. Kickoff is at 4:30 PT and is streaming on BIG Ten Network.

Ticket link: Seat Geak

USC is looking to start off the 2025 season with a statement. They hope to gain momentum early while also getting the rust out before the season gets serious. After a disappointing 2024 season, Lincoln Riley and the Trojans need to fire on all cylinders to get back to their former glory and it doesn't come any easier to perform against a team like this 


 

Opponent notes

- This will be Missouri States' first ever game as an FBS team. This past year, they were promoted from the FCS to FBS. 

- Missouri State was known in the FCS for their competitiveness and their aggressive defensive play.

- Missouri State has had many impact transfers this past year but there main impact player is QB Jacob Clark who is a returner.

- Overall a very energetic and gritty team despite their identity of being a "cupcake" or "easy" team to play.

Keys to victory 

USC is going to win this game 100% so there will be no keys to victory, but It is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY that we accomplish the following: 

 

1.) It is important that we cycle in the backups and the freshman for a lot of reps (Bench all starters Mid 3rd quarter)

2.) Get QB Jayden Maiava comfortable with scrambling, using his legs, and standing strong in the pocket under pressure.

3.) Win by 50+ points. Momentum is key and not crushing this bad team will have negative affects on the team and the fans.

Christian's Prediction: 

55    -    0

PREVIOUS GAME TAKEAWAYS:

Previous Game

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Waymond Jordan 2025 season stat predictions

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WR1 Makai Lemon has been listed as a Biletnikoff Award Watch (The best WR in America)

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Interview with Class of 2026b USC Football commit Tron Baker

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#1 Women's High School Basketball recruit commits to USC

2026 Football Recruiting:

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USC is currently ranked #2 in the 2026 high school recruiting rankings per 247 Sports. They are very back and forth with Georgia and it will be that way until the end. According to On3 and Rivals, USC is ranked #1. However, I am using 247 Sports for this because it is more reliable and I am a real football fan. It will be important for The Trojans to hold on to all of these elite recruits in order to take the next step as a program.

Top committed players: 

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Keenyi Pepe - 5⭐️ OT

6'7 320 lbs
IMG Academy, FL

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Mark Bowman - 5⭐️ TE

6'5 225 lbs
Mater Dei, CA

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Talanoa Ili - 4⭐️ LB

6'3 225 lbs
Kahuku, HI

Season Prediction:

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Graphic -  " usc.express "

There is a lot on the line for USC in the 2025 College Football Season. Although it is extremely unlikely that Lincoln Riley will be fired, he is still on the hot seat. USC has the chance to land the #1 High School recruiting class for the first time since 2004, but that can all go away if we do not win games. The fan base is rallying one more time to cheer for this team, but the coliseum could be empty by week 5. A lot of pressure for a team that is not ranked and has a fan base with no idea what to expect. The main goal for this team has always been to clinch a College Football Playoff. This goal (many may disagree) is actually realistic with what weapons and coaches the team has. All Lincoln Riley needs to do to revive this once dominant program is to lead us to a playoff. The way that is going to happen is if the offense RUNS THE BALL, the defense holds offenses to less than 20 ppg, and Jayden Maiava delivers as an above average QB.

My Football Complaint Board:

- Lincoln Riley needs to run the ball this year!

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