USC seeks elusive first-quarter perfection when it travels to Minnesota

The game scenario USC wants to produce more than anything else in 2024 (other than final victory) is obvious: Get a quick two-score lead. Force opponents to be one-dimensional. Force opponents to have to throw the ball into the teeth of what is a very good secondary. Take away the opponent’s running game. Make the opposing offense panic. Make opposing defenses guard the downfield pass early in the game, then run the ball after the passing game has been established. Running the ball with a 10-0 or 14-0 lead will enable USC to protect leads, keep its defense fresh, and establish the ideal game flow throughout the season. USC goes to Minnesota this week in search of the dream start, something it has not achieved against the decent-to-good teams on its schedule: LSU, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Only against Utah State did USC dominate the first quarter and establish total game control. USC needs to begin to do this in Big Ten play and make the season a lot more manageable.

If the Trojans can make this their new good habit, they will give themselves a real chance to make the College Football Playoff.

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