Sherrone Moore laughs in the face of doubters ahead of Michigan Wolverines matchup against USC Trojans
Michigan Wolverines are consensus underdogs against USC Trojans, but shouldn’t be
The Michigan Wolverines are 4-1 with their only loss coming to the top five ranked Oklahoma Sooners, yet somehow they’re considered consensus underdogs against the USC Trojans this week. Why is that? Both teams’ offenses have really been hitting their stride in recent weeks, but the Wolverines’ defense has been far superior to the Trojans.
When head coach Sherrone Moore was asked about being underdogs this week his face lit up as he almost laughed, smiling from ear to ear, because whether he wants to admit it or not, that’s just the fuel his team needs to repeat last year’s winning performance over USC.
Key stats that could impact Michigan vs USC game
- USC ranks first among all FBS teams in adjusted EPA per play, overall offensive success rate, yards per drop back, and several other key efficiency metrics.
- Conversely, Michigan’s offense ranks outside the top 30 by all those same measures–by most measures they rank outside the top 40 offenses overall.
- Michigan ranks 17th among FBS teams in yards per drop back allowed on defense, and even higher by most rushing defense metrics.
- Conversely, USC’s defense ranks 97th in yards per drop back and 123rd in rush success allowed.
Sherrone doesn’t care about the betting lines for Michigan versus USC
Michigan fans (and certainly USC fans) remember last year’s epic clash between these two teams. The Wolverines held the lead for over three quarters, but then a fumble deep in their own territory set up a go-ahead touchdown from USC late. Michigan needed an 89-yard touchdown drive with less than 4 minutes to go, and running back Kalel Mullings’ wild 63-yard scamper ultimately propelled the team towards converting with the winning score.
Despite last year’s victory and Michigan’s much improved quarterback situation now, USC is still favored by about a field goal this week. When asked about that fact, coach Moore almost laughed with a big grin on his face:
“That’s great [that they have us as underdogs],” Sherrone Moore said, smiling. “I don’t care. That stuff don’t matter to me. It’s great. I don’t even know the people that make the–whatever they call them–odds, whatever it is. We can be underdogs. We can be favorites. It could be whatever. It doesn’t matter to me. I know we’re playing a good team and we’ve got to be ready to go play. That’s all I know. So, regardless if we’re underdogs and the guys might look at that–that’s great–but it doesn’t matter. The lines don’t matter. The logos don’t matter. Nothing matters but the people playing on the field and that’s being prepared. That stuff’s great. It’s a great story, I guess. They’ll use it on ESPN or something, but I don’t care about that.”
It’s always funny when big time head coaches act like they don’t pay attention to the betting lines or public narratives surrounding their teams. Moore couldn’t even keep a straight face, acting as if he doesn’t know this is just the chip on his team’s shoulder that he wants. He seriously never stopped smiling throughout the entire quote.
Still, coach Moore has a point. Yes, USC is a great team, but the lines ultimately don’t matter. It’s the preparation and continued development of this year’s Michigan team that is going to define this game. And if recent trends do continue, the Wolverines should certainly handle business.
Bryce Underwood is fresh off the best passing game of his career with 270 yards through the air on nearly 10 yards per pass attempt. Both Donaven McCulley and true freshman star wide receiver Andrew Marsh (as you can see in post below) are breaking out for the Wolverines aerial attack. Justice Haynes is on record-breaking pace in the ground game for Michigan. So, why is USC favored?
USC, in typical Lincoln Riley fashion, has one of the best offenses in the country this season. They rank first in adjusted EPA (expected points added) per play, offensive success rate, yards per drop back and more among all FBS college football teams.
Their veteran starting quarterback Jayden Maiava continues to dominate thanks to his possible future first round pick at wide receiver, Makai Lemon. Lemon leads all power conference wide receivers in receiving yards with 589 already on the season (118 yards per game). USC’s breakout running back, Waymond Jordan, is averaging more than seven yards per touch as he continues dominating on the ground and through the air.
Michigan’s defense is going to have to step up in a huge way, potentially bracketing Lemon in coverage, while also simultaneously making sure their numbers up front don’t get out of order so that Jordan doesn’t gash them on the ground.
Still, Michigan’s emerging offense should do enough to hang with USC considering the Trojans’ defense ranks 97th in yards per drop back and 123rd in rush success allowed among FBS teams. Bryce Underwood and Justice Haynes could both put up career days against that sorry defense. Based on Sherrone Moore’s huge smile and chuckle at the idea of Michigan being an underdog this week, he knows it too.
We’ll be back with more Michigan Wolverines coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
