USC's offense failed to score 30 points against Oregon and Washington. This is just not going to be good enough against Ohio State and Indiana later in the season. USC has to score in the mid-30s if not higher to give itself a good chance of winning. The inconvenient truth for the Trojans: Trent Mosley is their most important offensive player other than Jayden Maiava.
Let's be honest with ourselves: Trent Mosley is a game-changer. He reshapes the geography of the field. He demands full attention from defenses. He opens up the other half of the field for Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and the other USC receivers. He probably would have been able to gain separation from Washington's very good cornerbacks. USC's other receivers, Dixon-Wyatt included, were unable
to regularly get wide open the way Mosley normally does. Mosley is explosive and dynamic. We can see how much better he is than Dixon-Wyatt based on KDW's struggles in the Washington game. It's true that Mark Bowman's absence matters as well, but Mosley is the straw that stirs the drink for the USC wide receiver group. Two straight sub-30-point performances for the USC offense against competent defenses (Rutgers is not a competent defensive team) magnifies what Mosley brings to the table. Not having Mosley's strengths on the field has really limited the USC offense.
The Trojans sorely need him against Penn State. Let's be honest about that. They need Bowman, too, but Mosley's speed is probably more valuable than Bowman's blocking and versatility at this point.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC struggles on offense magnify what Trent Mosley brings to Trojans
