Overview

• Kickoff is 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Big Ten Network, with USC favored by 35½ points.
• USC named defensive starters under coordinator D’Anton Lynn, and true freshman Tanook Hines is slated as the third receiver alongside Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon.
• Injury reports list USC’s Prophet Brown and kicker Caden Chittenden as out with Jahkeem Stewart questionable, while Missouri State will be without tight end Gary Clinton with James BlackStrain questionable.
• Lincoln Riley reinforced Jayden Maiava’s role and leadership at quarterback, while Missouri State counters with FCS standout Jacob Clark, who threw for 3,604 yards and 26 touchdowns last season.
• Missouri State enters its first Conference USA season with numerous FBS transfers and a reported $1.15 million guarantee for the game, as previews widely forecast a lopsided USC win.