For the first time in nearly a month, USC enters a Saturday matchup with a clear and unquestionable talent advantage. After a brutal two-game stretch against Michigan and Notre Dame, a run that produced a hard-fought split, the Trojans head to Lincoln to face a 6–2 Nebraska team that has done little to inspire confidence despite its respectable record.
This is the type of game Lincoln Riley badly needs to win if he wants to calm the storm of negative chatter surrounding him. Too often under his watch, the Trojans have fallen to opponents that they were clearly better than, but didn't play up to their potential.