USC’s offensive line a major question mark for going over 7.5 wins, per Stanford Steve

If you want to place a bet on the USC win total in 2024, going over 7.5 might be tough, according to ESPN’s Stanford Steve Coughlin.

The offensive line is the biggest question mark going into the fall. Forget the defense, which is seemingly questioned every year Lincoln Riley fields a team.

But if the offensive line can’t protect Miller Moss, the offense will struggle and it might be tough sledding in 2024 for USC.

“I put (USC) and Oklahoma as my most fascinating teams this year,” Coughlin said on Andy Staples On3. “I look at SC and Oklahoma, I like Oklahoma better because I rather have a defense to fall back on than an offense with a new signal color. And reading some of the numbers and how many pressures and times sacked Caleb Williams was because of a bad offensive line, he was Superman back there … What Miller Moss, I’m never going to doubt Lincoln Riley on the offensive side, never. 

“He does a great job of playing to those strengths. (Zachariah) Branch is still, I think, gonna have an all time season with the versatility he has and … Lincoln does a great job … But I do wonder about that offensive line now going to the Big Ten.”

And it’s not just the Big Ten for USC. The Trojans start with LSU which could be an eye opener when it comes to play in the trenches.

“The Big Ten is known for their play up front and does (USC) have that? They’re only going to be better on defense,” Coughlin said. “Now I will say what might help them is you’re not going to face as many lethal offenses as you did in the Pac-12. and having to play you know, a Notre Dame that had an NFL quarterback, say in years past. So will it even out? No … 

“When you look at that schedule in its totality … What are you going to be at the end of September … I think LSU is gonna have the best offensive line in the country. What are you going to be out of that game … Are you going to be able to compete?” 

The recruiting wins and special players come through Riley’s program like a factory. But if it can’t all come together at USC, that win total might be a grind.

“Going through the recruiting, he’s done a great job. Again, skill guys,” Coughlin said. “And that’s the funny thing is with this changeover, how many more teams are going to look to freshmen to be difference makers? That kind of worries me going into the big conference and knowing the stability that the Big Ten has.”