Key Reason MSU's Chiles vs. USC’s Maiava Will Be a Show

The quarterback battle between Michigan State and USC will not disappoint.

Sep 13, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) runs for a first down against Youngstown State in the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images | Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images

The Michigan State Spartans take on the USC Trojans this Saturday in a late-night showdown. 

Jonathan Smith and the Spartans hope to improve in Big Ten play this season, as they struggled during that stretch in 2024. MSU went 3-6 in conference play and missed another bowl game. 

USC has been off to an explosive start this season, sitting at 3-0, just like the Spartans, and featuring arguably the best offense in college football. 

MSU’s offense has also been good, and each quarterback has led the Spartans and Trojans to their undefeated records this season. 

While quarterbacks do not face each other directly, the battle between Aidan Chiles and Jayden Maiava will be exciting. 

The quarterback battle

Sep 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws a pass during the first half against the Georgia Southern Eagles at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The game kicks off at 11 PM Eastern time, so it might be tough for fans to stay up late to watch. Those who do will see a fun game with lots of scoring. 

Chiles looks like a different quarterback this season, throwing for 656 yards, six touchdowns, and just one interception. 

Maiava has been excellent for the Trojans, leading the Big Ten in passing yards with 989, also throwing six touchdowns and no interceptions. He leads the nation in QBR and passer rating, too. 

A good quarterback matchup can seem like a tennis match. Each player wants to answer the other back with a touchdown drive if they lead one on the drive before. 

We saw this happen with Chiles against Boston College, as Eagles’ QB Dylan Lonergan had an answer for every Chiles score. If the Spartan defense does not improve, Chiles might have to do some heavy lifting for the team to win the game. 

Is this a sustainable way for MSU to live in this game? It may come down to whoever has the ball last, and if that isn’t the Spartans, things could get treacherous for this team. 

Chiles’ growth this season has been legitimate, and the Spartans will go as far as he takes them. He will do everything he can to put them in a position to win the game in a tough road environment. 

MSU and USC fans won’t like a potentially back-and-forth scoring affair between the two quarterbacks, but casual fans will love the spectacle (if they stay awake for it). 

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