The USC Trojans had become a pass happy offense for a majority of the season, but with redshirt sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava making his first start of the season, coach Lincoln Riley had a more balanced approached against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Jayden Maiava made mistakes in his first USC start, but he played through them and looked composed in big moments. Call it a good first step for him and USC.

Lincoln Riley needs to approach the final stretch of the season as if he's coaching for his USC life, and Jayden Maiava could be the player who saves him.

Things are going from bad to worse to downright ugly when it comes to Lincoln Riley's tenure leading the USC Trojans. At 4-5 on the season, hardly anyone showed up to see USC host Nebraska in a gotta-have-it game for both Big Ten schools.

While the Jayden Maiava angle is a positive one, and while USC is now closer to getting a bowl bid -- which means December practices essential to improving the roster for 2025, a very important thing -- we can't ignore the deeper problem surrounding the Trojans: They are not a well-coached football team.

USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley met with the media following his team's 28-20 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Huskers fall to 5-5 overall and 2-5 in the Big Ten Conference. The Trojans improve to 5-5 and 3-5 in the league.