Sherrone Moore, in his role as head coach at Michigan, is still trying to find his footing. After a 31-13 loss to the USC Trojans at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, his record in road games now stands at just 1-5.
That one notable win? It was against Ohio State last season. In the 18 games he has coached away from home, that victory remains the highlight. Interestingly, while he led Michigan to a win over Penn State in 2023, that game is credited to Jim Harbaugh due to Moore’s suspension during a previous matchup against Nebraska.
The game against USC started with promise for Michigan. Unfortunately, the team quickly faltered, allowing USC to score 17 unanswered points between the end of the first half and the start of the fourth quarter. The defense struggled, yielding nearly 500 total yards, with 224 of those coming on the ground. Star running back King Miller was a standout for the Trojans, accounting for 158 rushing yards and contributing to their victory.
This win marks USC’s first home victory against a ranked opponent since November 2022, and only their second under head coach Lincoln Riley. It seems the atmosphere was electric, largely fueled by the anticipation of Michigan’s visit. Just days before the game, Moore downplayed the home field advantage, suggesting the sellout crowd was mainly due to Michigan’s presence.
Looking ahead, USC will face Notre Dame in a highly anticipated matchup, while Michigan prepares to host Washington for a Big Noon Kickoff clash. The challenges continue for both teams as they navigate their respective seasons.
As the college football landscape evolves, coaching styles and team dynamics will continue to be scrutinized. For instance, statistics show that road performance can heavily influence a team’s overall season success. For teams like Michigan, improving away games is crucial if they aim to make significant strides in upcoming matchups.
For more insights into college football trends and statistics, check out this report from the NCAA: NCAA Football Statistics.