There really is not too much room for debate. USC needs to find a way to toughen up. While this was something that was known entering into the season, the way the games have unfolded has highlighted this drastic concern.
At first, things looked highly promising on the line of scrimmage. The Illinois game, though, showed that things can always turn ugly in a hurry in the Big Ten.
This league is the most physically demanding that there is in all of college football. Teams that may not have the requisite quarterback talent or well-rounded roster simply find ways to muddy up games and force the opponent into playing their style of football.