Former USC All-American wants to see a change at quarterback for the Trojans

With USC struggling to the tune of a 3-4 overall record and a 1-4 mark in Big Ten play, everyone has an opinion as to how to fix the Trojans. Though head coach Lincoln Riley has steadfastly stood behind starting QB Miller Moss, many think a change at that position is what's needed. Included in that number is former USC All-American running back LenDale White.

Sunday, White took to X to make a post that read "Might be time for u to play lil bro" which was attached to a photo of USC backup QB Jayden Maiava and his family. Is that a crazy idea?

So far, Moss has put up more than respectable stats. He's thrown for 1,954 yards with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. Completing 66.2% of his passes, the junior has been serviceable but not spectacular in his first season as a starter.

On the other side of the coin, though, he isn't leading his team to wins. In fact, when games have been on the line, he's come up short when there have been opportunities to either put games away or give his team a late lead.

For instance, in USC's 27-24 loss at Michigan, the Trojans led 24-20 late in the fourth quarter. On a key drive when USC could have extended its lead or run out the clock, Moss was 0-2 passing. The ensuing possession for Michigan would result in the game-winning touchdown.

Against Minnesota, in USC's 24-17 defeat, on the last two drives of the game, Moss was just 3-7 passing for 47 yards. What's more, he also threw the game-sealing interception on the Trojans' final drive.

A week later, with USC trying to win the game in regulation against Penn State, he was picked off with the game tied at 30. That was another missed opportunity to win a close game. Of course, the Nittany Lions would prevail 33-30 in overtime.

Then, on Saturday night, he failed to lead his team to the game-winning score in the final minute. In the 29-28 loss to Maryland, Moss was unable to convert a 4th-and-two pass to Woody Marks with the game on the line and USC needing a score.

So would Maiava make a difference for the Trojan offense? In one respect, he might.

That's because Maiava would bring an added element to the table; the quarterback run game. That's something Moss simply isn't capable of providing.

Maiava, a transfer from UNLV who led the Rebels to nine wins a season ago, is a dual-threat QB. Last season, in 14 starts, he ran for 277 yards on 74 carries for UNLV. That includes three touchdowns.

While those numbers aren't eye-popping, they show that Maiava is more mobile than Moss. Remember, Riley has built his career on the backs of athletic QBs.

At Oklahoma, he had QBs like Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, and Jalen Hurts, each of whom could avoid pressure in the pocket and make things happen with their feet. Then, in his first two years at USC, he had Caleb Williams who was a magician when using his mobility to make big plays with his arm and when running the ball.

Maiava is cut more from that cloth than Moss is. What's more, he might be better prepared to play behind the Trojans' leaky offensive line given his ability to avoid pass rushers with his legs.

However, Riley doesn't seem inclined to want to make a change at QB, even if fans, and White, think he should. What's more, USC has more issues than just its QB.

Still, it is obvious that USC needs a spark to get back to its winning ways. Making a change at quarterback is one of the most impactful buttons Riley could push given that it is the most impactful position on the field.

With that said, don't expect a QB change any time soon. Moss is putting his team in position to win and that seems to be good enough for Riley. However, that won't stop many USC fans, and some alums of the football program, from calling for a change at the game's most important position.