USC Football: Expert Assesses Holiday Bowl Quarterback Disparity

A lot of pieces won't be out there for both starting QBs in the Holiday Bowl

Your 7-5 USC Trojans are set to take on the 10-3 Louisville Cardinals for their final game of the 2023 season. On Wednesday, the two clubs will play in the Holiday Bowl, as USC will look to close out their season in the winning column after losing four of its last five regular-season games. 

Unfortunately, the Trojans lack many top players on both sides of the ball, especially on offense. For one, they won’t have their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Caleb Williams, meaning Miller Moss will get the start. They will also be without their starting running back MarShawn Lloyd or top wide receiver Brenden Rice. 

However, Moss isn't worried about missing his top targets, as he told Kirk Kenney of The San Diego Tribune that his team will be just as effective as it was with those players available this season.

“I would like to say we won’t miss a beat,” Moss said. “Obviously, we’ll miss those guys. They’re excellent players, but we have a ton of young guys really, really looking forward to the chance to showcase their talent in a positive way.”

(Per Kirk Kenney of The San Diego Tribune)

The Trojans aren't the only team to miss key players; the Cardinals will also be without some of their top offensive weapons. Louisville will be without their top wide receiver and edge rusher, who declared for the draft. Quarterback Jake Plummer spoke on the challenges their absence might present. 

“It will be challenging with Jawhar and Jamari not playing,” Plummer said. “Those guys are really talented players. But we’ve got guys behind them that are hungry and ready for their opportunity. Everyone on the team is confident in the guys to step up.”

(Per Kirk Kenney of The San Diego Tribune)

Don't expect any fireworks from the Trojans, as this offense will look mightily different without Williams, but with Riley still at the helm, you never know. 

It'll be interesting to see how Moss and the offense look in the 2023 finale.