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Rutgers lists Dylan Lonergan as probable after the undisclosed injury that interrupted his opener; the preview does not confirm this week's starter. Corner Kevin Levy is out, while reserve corner Mikey Munn, running back Antwan Raymond and defensive end Malachi Davis are questionable.
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Rutgers averages 90.5 rushing yards, has allowed eight sacks and has eight turnovers through two games, with a 30.4% third-down rate. KJ Duff has 17 catches for 333 yards and five of the team's six touchdowns. The writer expects USC to bracket Duff and force other targets to contribute; that is a projected defensive response, not an announced plan.
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Travis Johansen's Rutgers defense has allowed 175 rushing yards and 32.5 points per game and ranks 130th in pass-efficiency defense after UMass and Boston College. It has only one sack. Sean Allison leads a three-man linebacker rotation, with Ty Morris and Moses Walker splitting middle-linebacker work; early defensive results remain a concern against USC's offense.
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USC has ruled Trent Mosley out after a knee injury, with no return timetable shared; Terrell Anderson and Tanook Hines are also recovering. The writer sees King Miller separating from Waymond Jordan after 128 yards on 18 carries against Louisiana, while freshman tight end Mark Bowman caught six passes and two touchdowns.
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USC's first-team defense held Louisiana to 116 first-half yards, including 47 rushing, but the reserves allowed 231 yards on three second-half touchdown drives. The preview identifies defensive depth, especially if the secondary or line must rotate more against stronger opponents, as an unresolved concern rather than judging the starters alone by the final score.