DALLAS – When you have a world-class quarterback at the helm of your offense, things tend to come a bit easier.
USC features Sam Darnold under center, a quarterback that is considered to be one of, if not the, top signal-callers available in the upcoming draft. Before the Trojan gunslinger can take his talents to the next level, however, he has to take on an Ohio State defense looking to make a statement in the final game of the 2017 season.
With a high-profile quarterback running the offense, the Trojans have utilized an up-tempo style of offense this season, which has resulted in the second most productive offense in the Pac-12 with USC averaging 489.5 yards per game.
Trojan offensive coordinator Tee Martin said Wednesday that the up-tempo attack is not something they are utilizing just against Ohio State. Rather, USC has used it all year and is hoping it will be even more effective against the Buckeyes.
"Us going fast has nothing to do with the other team. We impose our will on the other team regardless of how much they rotate," Martin said. "One thing about tempo is, when you go up-tempo they can't rotate. That is something that we recognize."
The Buckeyes have rotated as many as seven to eight defensive linemen in premier games this season, including four defense ends in Nick Bosa, Jalyn Holmes, Sam Hubbard and Tyquan Lewis.
Bosa, who was named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year as a sophomore this season, said even if USC is able to establish its up-tempo offense, he believes the Ohio State defensive front is conditioned well enough to sustain a high level of play.
"Their O-line can run. They like to go sideline-to-sideline and get you moving and their running back tries to work off the gaps," Bosa said Wednesday. "I think we are all conditioned enough to play a whole series, but it is always tough when the series keeps going."
Nick Bosa has collected at least one sack in three of Ohio State's last four games.
In order to slow the Trojan offensive attack, slowing down the USC rushing attack will likely be the top priority for the Ohio State defense, even though USC boasts a premier quarterback in Darnold.
At times this season, opposing tight ends have had success against Ohio State in the passing game. Those same teams have also had success running the football, which has set up the middle of the field for tight ends in the play action passing game. Iowa is the first team that comes to mind, as Hawkeye tight ends caught four touchdowns in a 55-24 loss in Iowa City, a game USC tight end Tyler Petite said the Trojans have watched closely.
"Obviously against Iowa, the tight ends had a really big game and we would love to have that, but I think we are just going in with a great game plan," Petite said. "I think it’s just a mismatch that happens a lot of the time, especially when you have a threat like Ronald Jones. I think that is something that helps us a lot because when you’re scared of the run, it is hard when it comes to play action or you start releasing tight ends out.
"You have to respect the fact that we have an elite running back, so you’re not just going to immediately drop your linebackers into coverage when you have a threat like that. So that really helps us out."
Darnold, who threw for a Pac-12 best 3,787 yards this season, said the challenge of utilizing an up-tempo style of offense to combat Ohio State's defensive rotation is something he is looking forward to come kickoff.
"You fight your own battles there," Darnold said when discussing the challenge of subbing players in and out on offense, while also trying to limit Ohio State's rotation. "It's going to be really fun and interesting to see how they rotate. Like I keep saying, I am really looking forward to it."
