USC football set to face one of the country's top statistical defenses this week

After decades spent in the PAC-12 where defense was often optional, USC is finding that life in the Big Ten is different. This year, the Trojans are learning that the defenses in their new conference are legitimate and some think that the learning curve could continue this weekend against Minnesota. But others believe that the Golden Gophers' impressive statistical rankings on defense are misleading.

What makes this weekend's matchup between the Trojans and the Golden Gophers so intriguing is that it pits one of the nation's top offenses against one of the best statistical defenses the sport has to offer.

Overall, the Minnesota defense is ranked No. 5 in the nation in total defense. Giving up only 226.8 yards per game, the Golden Gophers sit behind only Tennessee, Ohio State, Missouri, and Penn State respectively.

Taking it a step further, the strength of the Minnesota defense has been its ability to slow opposing passing attacks. In fact, no team in the nation is giving up fewer passing yards per game than the 98.6 that Minnesota is allowing.

Additionally, Minnesota is second in the nation in passing efficiency defense. They are allowing opposing QBs to average a passer rating of just 81.2. To put that in perspective, USC's QBs have a passer rating of 138.6 and that's good for just 63rd nationally.

However, the skeptics are quick to point out that Minnesota hasn't faced a good passing attack this year. For instance, in week one, North Carolina lost starting QB Max Johnson to a knee injury in the middle of their game at Minnesota. As a result, the Tar Heels wound up throwing for only 105 yards on the night. However, they still managed a 19-17 win over the Golden Gophers thanks to Minnesota's last-second field goal miss.

In their next game, Minnesota faced Rhode Island. That FCS team mustered just 117 yards through the air in a 48-0 loss to the Golden Gophers.

Next, Minnesota took on a Nevada team that currently ranks just 100th nationally in passing offense by putting up only 185.6 yards per game through the air. Against the Golden Gophers, the Wolfpack threw for only 114 yards on 22 passing attempts in a 27-0 loss.

Against Iowa, Minnesota gave up 31 points, which was a disappointment, especially at home. The Hawkeyes gained 334 total yards that day but only 62 came through the air in the 31-14 Hawkeye triumph.

Finally, last week, Minnesota held Michigan to 86 passing yards in their 27-24 loss on the road. Of course, USC fans know that Michigan has little desire to throw the ball with the passing-challenged Alex Orji now running the show at QB.

In all, it appears that the Gophers' passing defense rankings might be as much about the limitations of their opponents as it is about the quality of the Golden Gopher defense. In fact, on average the Gophers are facing just 22.4 passing attempts per game.

What's more, the three FBS teams that Minnesota has played rank no better than 100th in passing yards per game. In fact, Iowa (124) and Michigan (129) are in the bottom ten of teams nationally in passing offense.

Another reason that Minnesota's passing defense is so highly ranked is that opponents are finding success on the ground. Currently, the Gophers rank 61st nationally in rush defense giving up 130 yards per game on the ground.

When you take out Rhode Island, Minnesota is giving up 158 yards per game on the ground. That includes the 272 rushing yards that Iowa gained against them.

Whether opponents are running on Minnesota because they can't pass on the Gophers or because they are finding success on the ground is a chicken or egg proposition. But it does tend to give USC fans hope that the Trojan offense will have success on offense this week.

However, if that does happen, it will likely be through the air. The Trojans are 12th nationally in passing yards (316.0 per game) but only 88th in rushing yards (143.8 per game).

This week, we will find out if the Minnesota defense is truly elite because it will be playing a top-notch offense for the first time this season. Here's hoping that the Trojans prove that the statistics surrounding the Golden Gopher defense are just a product of playing bad offenses and not an indication that Minnesota is truly elite on that side of the football.