Coach Lincoln Riley's trust in Jayden Maiava will pay off for USC

The biggest obstacle college football teams face is continuity. For USC, that is easier than for other programs this year throughout the nation. Understanding what is expected within a scheme and being in sync are more difficult aspects for teams than many consider.

Timing and establishing a rhythm take time to get right between 11 players, all needing to know and execute their role at the same time during the pressure of a live-action game.

In comes the presumptive starting quarterback for the Trojans, Jayden Maiava. Officially, coach Lincoln Riley has not listed the starting depth chart for Missouri State, but the HC has maintained Maiava's position in the pecking order throughout spring camp.

Coming in last year and taking over for Miller Moss toward the tail end of last season, there was some Jekyll and Hyde. Trojan fans saw a quarterback willing to take the deep shot and someone who has an arm with big play potential. They also saw someone throw the balls into dangerous areas that ended up being intercepted.

Although that's the nature of being inserted into the lineup on the fly. What coach Riley is counting on and seemingly believes in, based on his most recent comments, is that familiarity in the system and maturing in his own development will allow for Maiava to be the catalyst that the USC offense needs to hit double-digit wins on the season.

In terms of the turnovers, not being on the other end of an incredible Christian Gray interception will help things. Also, avoiding must-pass situations, like a fourth-and-goal in the red zone while trailing late, would, for instance, help matters.

Even so. Maiava knows that he needs to do a better job of taking care of the football. That is, however, part of the give-and-take of a gunslinger. The Trojan QB is good for a large chunk play downfield at any point. Sometimes, that will involve putting the ball up for grabs, and the defender is there to make plays as well.

The cohesion and time spent with Ja'Kobi Land and Makai Lemon, though, are important to consider when discussing Maiava. Now, as the known starter heading into the season, he will have built a longer history of practice and game reps with his receivers that he didn't have when first playing against Nebraska.

Advantage in the USC QB room compared to other teams

Playing in the Las Vegas Bowl and then having that time during spring camp will have only added to the needed cohesion. There are several teams in the Big Ten alone that are starting first-year quarterbacks.

Maiava showed some flaws in his game last year. It can be too easy, though, to become too easily attached to a shiny, new, unknown commodity in town. He may need to win over the USC fan base, but he has the confidence of the most important person on campus at the moment.

Coach Riley believes in the skill set and intangibles, as well as the continued growth of his quarterback. It will be up to Maiava to prove the USC HC right.