The USC Trojans are coming out of their week off feeling anything is possible for them. Lincoln Riley finally got his statement win at USC against Ohio State, and this team finally showed what it looks like when things are clicking. There were many great performances against the Buckeyes. For USC to replicate that success against Indiana
, the Trojans will need the same guys to show up and then some.Here is my breakdown for the USC Trojan players whose stock is up and whose stock is down heading into the biggest game of the season against Indiana:
Stock up:
Waymond Jordan, running back
Waymond Jordan built some great momentum against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Only with 12 carries, Jordan made his presence felt, and he wore down the Buckeyes' defense with every carry. He had
48 yards, but his 4.0 yards per carry average really made a difference. If he can provide that same impact against the Indiana Hoosiers, that would go a long way. The Trojans' offense is at its best when their bruiser back is being effective; it is encouraging to see him get his swagger back.
Trent Mosley, receiver
On a field full of talent at the receiver position. Jeremiah Smith is the best player in the country, not just the best at his position. Mosley showed him up, and he did it as soon as the game started with a 69-yard receiving touchdown. Mosley finished with 101 yards off of 5 catches. The Buckeyes have some of the best talent in the country, and that did not stop freshman Trent Mosley. That is exactly what you want to see from this past recruiting class.
Mark Bowman, tight end
Mark Bowman in his first game back showcases how much he brings to the Trojans' offense. He was missed, and against the Buckeyes, he set the tone with his 70-yard big play. He may be a freshman, but the physicality and effort he plays with bleeds onto this whole team. It was evident that USC was going to win that game after that play. Bowman will need to bring that same energy this week against the Hoosiers.
Entire offensive line
The Trojans offensive line is better than most, but against the Wisconsin Badgers, they got dominated to a level we haven't seen. They gave up 5 sacks, and Jayden Maiava could not play to his usual standard as a result. The run game was atrocious as well, totaling -17 yards. The Trojans did a full 180 and dominated the Buckeyes in the trenches. The run game had success, and Jayden Maiava was only sacked once. Having that performance should help this unit be the reason for success for USC moving forward. If they can do that to Ohio State, they should be able to hold their weight against the other Big Ten juggernauts.
Alex VanSumeren, defensive tackle
Alex VanSumeren has been solid this season and has done exactly what he was brought in to do. His numbers aren't flashy, yet he just gets the hard work done. Against Ohio State, he tallied 3 tackles and 0.5 sacks. He was a lot more disruptive, and because of that, the Trojans' defense had their best performance. I want to see that more from him the rest of the way.
Jontez Williams, defensive back
Jontez Williams met the high expectations this offseason against Ohio State in Week 9. Against Jeremiah Smith, Williams gave up 3 catches for 7 yards. That was an elite performance. Jontez Williams only had 1 catch, but he was a huge reason the Buckeyes' offense had little to no success in USC's upset win. If that's who Williams can be the rest of the way, the Trojans can stack up against the best of the best teams in the country.
Stock down:
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, receiver
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt was a non-factor against Ohio State. He did not even get a target, and that is a big step back for the talented freshman. I think he will recover and join his counterparts the rest of the way. USC will need him to step up and will need all hands on deck for their upcoming stretch.
Zacharyus Williams, receiver
Williams had a nice stretch of games where he was a productive piece of the Trojans' offense. The last 2 weeks, his production has taken a huge dip. Williams can take the top off the defense, and he can give the Trojans' offense at least 40 yards with ease. Lincoln Riley needs to get him back incorporated into things because that will only make the offense even more dangerous.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football stock up and stock down report heading into Week 11
