ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In the preseason, the expectation was that Michigan football had to be on the lookout for teams in Week 2 and again in the month of November. However, after USC beat LSU in Week 1 and demolished its Week 2 opponent, Utah State, convincingly and thoroughly, the Trojans have become a major team to contend with. All the while, the Wolverines haven’t exactly looked dominant at any point in 2024.
On Monday, Sherrone Moore gave his assessment of USC and its personnel, noting that Miller Moss, Zachariah Branch and Texas A&M transfer Anthony Lucas are the three players the Wolverines have their eyes on in preparation for Saturday.
“Obviously, the quarterback’s really good. I think the line is good,” Moore said. “No. 1, Branch, he’s explosive, twitchy, big playmaker. But on defense, I’d say No. 6, their defensive end, Lucas, he’s a game-wrecker that we’ve got to definitely have our eyes on.”
Lucas isn’t the only big-name transfer that’s bolstered the Trojans this and even last year. Bear Alexander was a big get in 2023 in the interior of the defensive line, coming from Georgia. Safety Akili Arnold, via Oregon State, has been solid at safety. Kyle Ford, the journeyman wideout who’s played at Illinois and UCLA, has already seen some production early on. RB Woody Marks, via Mississippi State, has had a solid start. LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, another via Oregon State, already has an interception. CB Greedy Vance came along from Florida State.
But where Moore sees the biggest change is in size in both of the trenches.
“Well, I’ve seen they’re a lot bigger, obviously. Up front, they are,” Moore said. “They’ve put on some size, some mass. They’ve got different guys in there. A bunch of transfers on the O-line. A lot of guys transferred from their defense.
“But they’re a good football team. I think Lincoln does an outstanding job with the team. He’s always been a great offensive lineman. I think Coach Lynn’s come in and brought in that defensive background, and they play really good defense, solid team defense. So, for us, it’s going to be penalty-free, take care of the football player and start the game.”
But, of course, the biggest factor in this game on Saturday will depend on what Michigan is able to do against quarterback Miller Moss.
Moss will be making his first true road start as the starting quarterback for the Trojans and Lincoln Riley will certainly look to make things easy for him in a similar fashion as to what Steve Sarkisian did for Quinn Ewers at Texas.
Moore gave his assessment of Moss’ production in the past two games and certainly sees there’s a lot that the Wolverines have to go up against.
“Yeah, really good football player,” Moore said. “Accurate, takes care of the football, plays well within the system. Not a runner by any means but definitely has good arm strength and has a lot of weapons around him and distributes it well. Plays well within the system. so he’s a really good player.”
Michigan and USC will kick off at 3:30 p.m. EDT at The Big House. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS.