Three Michigan Wolverines that could be a problem for USC on Saturday afternoon

Without question, the main storyline ahead of this weekend's titanic clash between No. 11 USC and No. 18 Michigan in "The Big House" has centered around the quarterback change that the Wolverines are undergoing. Much of that is because new Michigan starter Alex Orji is quite the enigma.

An elite athlete who has averaged 5.8 yards per carry for his college career, he's an intriguing player, to say the least. However, as a passer, he's a complete unknown.

In three years at Michigan, he's attempted only seven total passes. Thus, it is tough to know what he'll bring to the table in that crucial aspect of the game. This week, USC head coach Lincoln Riley said that he is confident that Orji will be competent when throwing the ball.

"You always have to account for the pass," Riley said. "You don't play quarterback at this level without being able to throw the ball. To sit there and think that if he plays the entire game that they're going to run it 70 times and throw it once or something like that, I don't think that's going to be the case. You definitely have to account for it because he's certainly a good enough player to make you pay."

While it is understandable that the focus of the week is on the new Wolverine quarterback, Orji isn't the only player that Trojan fans need to know about. In fact, the three following Wolverines could be even bigger threats this weekend.

USC has to slow down Michigan RB Kalel Mullings

Entering this season, most assumed that Michigan's home-run threat, Donovan Edwards, would be the Wolverine's top running back given how well he has played in the last two College Football Playoffs. However, through three games, Michigan has received far more production from senior Kalel Mullings.

Thus far, both Mullings and Edwards have carried the ball 36 times. However, Mullings has run for 270 yards (7.5 per carry) while Edwards has amassed just 150 yards (4.2 per carry).

At 6-foot-2, and 233 pounds, Mullings is a load to bring down. The former linebacker is coming off of a career-high 153 yards on just 15 carries against Arkansas State. Now, he'll look to build on that performance against a USC defense that has been stingy against the run through two games.

An argument can be made that Mullings has feasted on weaker competition thus far in 2024. He also had 92 yards on 15 carries against Fresno State in the opener. However, against Texas, he managed only 25 yards on six carries. Was that low total a result of Michigan being behind for most of that game and turning to the pass? That is possible.

Regardless, Michigan had better be ready for a heavy dose of both Mullings and Edwards this weekend, especially with an unproven QB running the offense. If the Trojans can keep Mullings in check, it will put the game on Orji's shoulders and that would play right into USC's hands.

Michigan's top pass-catcher, TE Colston Loveland, is a game-time decision

Michigan's other breakout offensive star this season has been tight end Colston Loveland. The junior is the only Wolverine with over 56 yards receiving thus far.

In fact, he's caught 19 passes (also by far the best on the team) for 187 yards and one TD. He's one of only four Wolverines with a TD reception this year.

The problem for Michigan is that Loveland left last week's game with an upper-body injury. Now, his status for this Saturday is up in the air.

“We’re just taking it one minute at a time, one hour at a time, one day at a time,” Michigan tight ends coach Steve Casula said earlier this week. “3:30 Saturday is still a ways away. You look at it like that. So I try to avoid predicting someone’s availability.”

If Loveland doesn't play, it will be a huge blow to the Wolverine passing attack. The tight ends figure to be a tremendous security blanket for Orji this week and being without the best of the group would severely hamper an already suspect Michigan offense. So keep an eye out for news on Loveland heading into this game and if he plays, look to see if the Trojans can take him out of the equation when Mighican throws the football.

Josaiah Stewart leads a talented Michigan defensive line

There isn't just one standout on the Michigan defense this year. Is that because that unit has regressed quite a bit from its dominant form over the past two years?

After leading the nation in points allowed last year (10.9), the Wolverines now rank 57th (19.7). That also includes allowing 304.3 yards per game.

Either way, Riley said that he has tremendous respect for the Michigan defense. He was especially complimentary of the defenisve line that his team will face this weekend.

"It’s a big test," he said this week. "Big test. Tremendous, another tremendous defensive line, the second, really good defensive line that we’ve played here in three games. Super accomplished. I mean really, and all the guys, even some of the guys that rotate in, can really play. Obviously, the two defensive tackles are tremendous, but the edge guys are good too. So big challenge that we got to embrace."

USC will need to keep edge rusher Josaiah Stewart in check on Saturday. He is the team leader with two sacks and he is one of six Wolverine defenders with 10 tackles or more. The former transfer from Coastal Carolina has 23.5 career sacks in his four-year career. Keeping him from getting after USC quarterback Miller Moss will have to be the priority for the rebuilt USC offensive line.