USC Redefines Bye Week After Loss
The Trojans are treating their break like a standard practice week after an unexpected defeat at Wisconsin.
By Allison Rojas ·
USC football players are spending their scheduled week off in the weight room and on the field. The Trojans are currently on a bye, but the program has stopped using that term. Head coach Lincoln Riley and the players refer to the period as a standard week. They plan to approach it with the same intensity as a game week. The shift in terminology reflects a change in how the team handles rest after a recent stumble.
The previous bye week ended in a 24-7 loss to unranked Wisconsin. USC had won on the road at Penn State before that trip. The drop in the standings forced a review of the preparation process. Riley said the team is doing many things differently this time. He noted that the schedule, rest periods, and practice content have all changed. He stated there are more differences than similarities between the two weeks.
Safety Christian Pierce said the mindset is the only real difference. He told reporters that the team attacks every day the same way. The goal is to maintain a baseline level of performance. Running back King Miller described that baseline as a standard the program cannot fall below. He said the team knows exactly what that standard is. He emphasized that players must keep improving in school and in the building regardless of the opponent.
USC enters this break with momentum after beating No. 11 Ohio State on Saturday. The Buckeyes were ranked No. 2 at the time of that game. The Trojans now hold a 7-2 overall record and a 4-2 mark in the Big Ten. Their next test is a road game against No. 6 Indiana. The Hoosiers are the defending national champions. They are currently 8-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play.
Practice on Wednesday afternoon included audio cues from Indiana. Coaches played Indiana’s entrance music, Thunderstruck by AC/DC, across the field. Crowd noise and chants of Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers also played. These signals indicate the team is already preparing for that specific matchup. The atmosphere is designed to replicate the pressure of the upcoming game.
Every remaining game carries weight for the Trojans. USC was ranked No. 20 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. They need strong results to secure a spot in the 12-team field. After Indiana, the Trojans play Maryland at home. They finish the season at No. 5 UCLA. The Bruins are 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the Big Ten. They were ranked No. 8 in the playoff rankings.
Pierce said every game holds the same importance to the team. He noted that the atmosphere changes as the season progresses. He described the excitement of playing in front of fans as a blessing. The team aims to channel that energy into their performance. The standard set during this bye week will serve as the baseline for the rest of the schedule.
Two Trojans are semifinalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award. Receiver Trent Mosley and defensive end Luke Wafle are on the list of fourteen players. Three finalists will be named on Dec. 3. The winner will be announced on Dec. 28. Mosley leads the team with six touchdowns and 512 receiving yards on 32 catches. He missed three games due to injury. He has also returned eight punts for 212 yards. Wafle leads all FBS freshmen with 23 quarterback pressures. He has 36 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks.
