Micah's takeaways from USC win over Northwestern

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

The USC Trojans are 7-2 and remain in the thick of the College Football Playoff race after returning to their best version of themselves Northwestern. The Trojans will need their stars to be stars. Their star head coach must earn his paycheck and silence the doubts surrounding him. People have to give Riley credit, though; after the poor season last year, the Trojans have had more success in the Big Ten this year. With more success comes higher expectations, and no one is content with just being competitive in the Big Ten.

Here are my takeaways for the Trojans after their Week 11 statement victory over Northwestern:

Jayden Maiava gave this team a huge spark

It was not a pass or touchdown; it was a tackle that stopped a pick 6 and stopped any points as a whole for Nebraska. The Trojans are bought into Maiava, and the response after seeing their quarterback make a play like that showed that to be evident. Maiava also went on to have a great finish to this game and put up one of his best passing performances in quite some time. Many doubted whether or not Maiava would be the right guy to lead this team to success, so far, he has done a great job erasing that doubt. He gets two more opportunities to show he is that guy, with Oregon and Iowa on the schedule next. I expect him to answer the bell and at the very least give the Trojans an opportunity to win both of those games.

Makai Lemon got his swagger back

After a recent slump and dip in his play, the Trojans finally got to see Makai Lemon back playing like a superstar. Lemon had 11 catches for 161 yards receiving and two total touchdowns. USC’s offense is at its best when its stars are playing at their best, and that was what was on display Friday. Lemon is getting his confidence right at the perfect time.

The Trojans should feature Ja’Kobi Lane just like they did in this game

Jayden Maiava got back to getting the ball in his playmaker’s hands. Lemon was the dominant player on the offense, but Ja’Kobi Lane made some great plays in this game. Lane had a fantastic touchdown, and he finished with 7 catches for 74 yards. The Trojans need to keep getting the ball to Lane. When he gets an opportunity, he produces. Especially in the red zone, for the rest of the season, Lane needs to be a factor in this offense. He is way too talented not to put up the production he did Friday on a consistent basis.

The Trojans defense got the job done for another straight week

D’Anton Lynn really has earned his paycheck the last few games. The Trojans have been gashed in the run game, but they have given their offense the opportunity to win football games. Against the Wildcats, Friday, they did exactly that. After USC took control over this game in the second half and that was due in part to the defense only giving up 3 points after a 14-14 start to the game. Lynn made great adjustments in the second half, and once the offense got up big, Northwestern could not get any rhythm going to try and catch up.

USC looks good but will need to be better to win the next two games

Iowa and Oregon, the Trojans’ next two opponents,it makes looked like teams that will both give the Trojans fits. The Trojans will have to clean up things on both sides of the ball to win the next two games. Nothing would save Lincoln Riley’s job more than winning against Oregon and Iowa, but he will have to be better in game management situations. It is no doubt that USC has more talent than Iowa and that USC can hang with Oregon. USC can not make the same mistakes they make every week and expect to beat either team. USC has been up and down this season, but this next stretch will clearly show who the Trojans are. Are Lincoln Riley and the Trojans exactly what they have been the last few years? Or is this team ready to contend now?

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Lincoln Riley and USC football earned the right to play for big goals

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos