USC, ranked No. 12, defeats Rutgers 42-35 in its Big Ten opener. The Trojans score enough to secure the win despite a relatively close, high-scoring matchup. The result puts USC in positive position early in conference play.
Both outlets note that the larger issue for USC is not the final score but the team’s defensive performance. After the game, defensive woes are described as a continuing concern, with the scoreline reflecting that Rutgers is able to put points on the board. That framing leads to questions about how well USC can hold up against stronger opponents.
While the game’s outcome is consistent across coverage—USC winning 42-35—the emphasis differs in tone and implication. Both sources focus on the same takeaway: the offense produces, but questions remain about whether the defense performs at a level that would match postseason expectations.
