4 Bold Predictions for Minnesota Gophers’ Matchup vs USC Trojans

The Minnesota Gophers have one of their toughest opponents on the 2024 schedule coming to Dinkytown on Saturday in the USC Trojans. To no surprise, the Trojans are 9.5-point favorites as of this publishing. Not even having home-field advantage at Huntington Bank Stadium is enough to sway bettors against the 11th-ranked team in the nation.

But not even the mighty Trojans are unbeatable. They’re 3-1 this season, with their lone loss coming in a 27-27 defeat to Michigan. Notably, that’s the same exact score as Minnesota’s loss to Michigan this past weekend. Maybe the Gophers aren’t as far behind as we think.

Do the Gophers stand a chance this weekend? They may need all of these bold predictions to come true to stand a fighting chance.

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Darius Taylor sets new season-high in rushing yards

While Aireontae Ersery may be the top 2025 NFL Draft prospect on the Gophers’ roster, it’s not a stretch to say Darius Taylor is P.J. Fleck’s best player. After missing the team’s season debut with a leg injury, Taylor has been action for the past four games, but he hasn’t always been effective.

After recording 64 and 124 rushing yards in his first two games, Taylor has recorded just 34 and 36 in his past two. Is the Gophers’ star running back hurt? Chances are, he just ran into two of the toughest defenses in the nation, against Iowa and Michigan, both of whom rank in the top six of rushing yards allowed.

Iowa and Michigan allow, on average 66 rushing yards per game. USC allows nearly three times that amount at 150 yards per game. So don’t be shocked if Taylor finishes with a season-high of 125 rushing yards or more.

Related: NFL Draft Analyst Surprisingly Low On USC Trojans QB Miller Moss

Jah Joyner ties career-high with two sacks

Amazingly, the Gophers enter this matchup with the eighth-best pressure rate in college football. Their success hasn’t been due to any one player. Instead, it’s a collective group executing defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman’s scheme with perfection.

Eight different players have gotten into the sack column for the Gophers this season. Yet, none of them have more than 1.5 sacks. That will change on Saturday, when fifth-year redshirt senior Jah Joyner ties his career-high by recording two sacks on USC’s quarterback Miller Moss.

Related: Who Deserves the Most Blame for Minnesota Gophers Loss @ Michigan?

Koi Perich scores his first touchdown

Star freshman safety Koi Perich hasn’t gotten many opportunities to impress on defense quite yet. He’s only seen the field for a total of 35 snaps. Most of his chances have come on special teams, where he’s played 78 snaps.

While Perich doesn’t see the field on defense often, he is the Gophers’ leading kick and punt returner. This role has allowed him to return six kicks and five punts, and he’s been gaining momentum in these areas in recent weeks. Those who keep a close eye on the Gophers won’t forget his 60-yard punt return against Michigan, but it wasn’t quite enough to bring it back to the house.

KOI PERICH CAN FLY

He picks up a huge return on the punt for @GopherFootball 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DS1HyAIyX8

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

There could be more opportunities for Perich to touch the ball this weekend. Maybe it’s on a punt, maybe it’s a kick, or maybe he even sees more playing time on defense in a blowout. Or, maybe it even happens from Perich getting involved on offense. Either way, it’s time for Perich to score the first college football touchdown of what’s likely to be a special career.

Related: Minnesota Gophers Have a New Coach You Might Recognize

Minnesota Gophers keep final score within seven points

The Gophers may be 2-3 this season, but they’re not as bad as many think. Had Darius Taylor been available for the season opener, and if Dragan Kesich makes just one of his two missed field goals, the Gophers would be 3-2 with a win over North Carolina.

There’s no excuses for the Golden Gophers’ beatdown from Iowa, the Hawkeyes took home the Floyd of Rosedale fair and square. Yet, Coach Fleck does deserve some credit for getting his team within reaching distance against a Michigan team with several future NFL stars.

The USC Trojans are certainly not a team full of average joes. They too successfully recruit some of the best football prospects in the nation. It’s how they’re able to develop stars like Sam Darnold and Jordan Addison into future first-round picks.

Yet the Gophers still have a talented bunch, and they have been sending multiple players to the NFL too. Players like hometown hero Blake Cashman remind us of that fact every Sunday. Do the 2024 Golden Gophers have enough difference-makers on their roster to keep the Trojans close enough for a photo finish? Let’s hope so.

USC Trojans vs Minnesota Gophers score prediction: Trojans 34, Gophers 27

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