USC starting QB for Week 9: Who is Lincoln Riley's QB1 for game against Rutgers?
USC kicked off the season with a bang, winning against the then-No. 13 LSU Tigers, making themselves a top contender to qualify for the 12-team College Playoff Field. However, a loss to Washington in Week 3, followed by the Trojans' inability to sustain fourth-quarter leads in their last three games, quickly knocked them out of contention.
Despite this, Lincoln Riley has not changed his starting quarterback, Miller Moss, who has started all games so far. But with three straight defeats, will Riley consider making a change?
Will Miller Moss continue to start for Lincoln Riley's USC Trojans?
Lincoln Riley is expected to continue starting Miller Moss despite his team's recent struggles. Asked on Monday if Moss would remain his starting quarterback, the coach said:
“Of course, 100 percent.”
With no injury issues for the signal caller, expect Moss to start against Rutgers.
Moss, who was announced the program's starting quarterback ahead of this season, is playing his fourth year with the Trojans. The junior quarterback only saw fringe action under center last season, but this year, he has been given a full-time starting role.
Waiting behind him in the quarterback room of USC are Jayden Maiava and Kyron Hudson.
Miller Moss' performance this season
Though USC is on a losing streak, blame can hardly be put on Miller Moss. The junior signal-caller has thrown for 1,954 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions on a 64.4% pass completion rate.
His best performance this season arguably came in a 38-21 win against the Wisconsin Badgers, where the quarterback threw for 308 yards to go along with three touchdowns and one interception. He also added one rushing score.
Ahead of the game against Rutgers, Coach Riley expressed his confidence in Miller Moss.
"I think he's in a good place," Riley said. "I think, like all of us, he's had to...it's kind of a mind trick on you right now because people that watch the tape and watch how we've played and watch how we've progressed, that tells you one thing and then you go look at the record and that tells you another thing."
"Everybody goes through tough stretches. Everybody goes through times when things don't fall your way and the best ones continue to battle. He's one of the best ones and he's going to continue to battle," Riley added.
Do you think Miller Moss can catch a break and help USC break its three-game losing streak?