USC’s 2023 football season is best captured in two words: utter disappointment. And even that is an understatement to some. Led by a Heisman-winning quarterback, the Trojans went a pitiful 8-5 with a 5-4 conference record in their finale with the Pac-12. Now, as the Trojans enter one of the most competitive conferences in college football, there are numerous questions swirling around.

Some will be answered Saturday at the annual spring game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. As of Thursday, the format for the game has not been publicized.

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This game is a time for up-and-coming stars to show out, while familiar faces prove to Trojan coaches why they should be playing in this upcoming season.

There are numerous things to look out for during the game, including an entire remodel of the defensive coaching staff. Head Coach Lincoln Riley brought on superstar potential on that side of the ball leading the defense. The Trojans’ third-year coach hired former UCLA defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, who took the same role with the Trojans. 

Last season, the Trojans gave up 34.38 points per game, good for 13th-worst in the whole country. To get rid of these defensive woes, USC is banking on the new hires to get the defense locked and loaded for the upcoming season. The additional new hires include former L.A. Rams defensive line coach Eric Henderson, former North Dakota State University Head Coach Matt Entz and former University of Houston defensive coordinator Doug Belk.

This stacked roster of defensive personnel along with a few transfers could set the tone for the Trojans’ transfer to the Big Ten. 

Sticking to Riley’s beliefs, the Trojans have been busy in the transfer portal, as they’ve added 11 players so far via this route. Of those 11, seven are defensive players, who should provide much-needed help in the area Riley seems to struggle with the most. 

One thing to look out for Saturday is redshirt sophomore safety Kamari Ramsey, who will look to be one of the Trojans’ top additions from this offseason. The former standout at UCLA was the first to follow his former defensive coordinator from Westwood to South Central and is bound to be a key part of this defense.

Riley highlighted Ramsey as one of the players who has had a strong spring.

“We got the opportunity to see him last year, but he’s done a great job of just coming in here and really affecting the group,” Riley said in a press conference after practice Tuesday. “He obviously knows this scheme very well.”

In 11 starts last season with the Bruins, Ramsey totaled 40 tackles — with 2.5 of those being a tackle for loss — five pass breakups and one interception.

On the offensive side of the ball, there is one obvious question: Who will replace former Hesiman Trophy winner and the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Caleb Williams?

There are two realistic candidates in redshirt junior quarterback Miller Moss and redshirt sophomore Jayden Maiava, a transfer from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 

In last season’s Holiday Bowl, Moss made a strong case that the answer should be him. Moss threw for a record-breaking six touchdowns to go along with 372 passing yards in the Trojans’ 42-28 thrashing of the University of Louisville.

“I’ve just tried to be very diligent in the film room, continue to make the next right decision, and hopefully Coach Riley sees and appreciates that,” Moss said. 

Because of his stellar performance in the bowl game, Moss is presumed to be the starting quarterback for this season.

However, Maiava has a case for himself. He led UNLV to its most wins since 1984, throwing for 3,085 yards and 17 touchdowns, while carrying the ball for 277 rushing yards. These impressive stats earned him the College Football Network Freshman Quarterback of the Year.

No matter who is at the helm of the huddle during the first snap in Las Vegas, Riley has a proven track record of developing high-quality quarterbacks year after year. At only 40 years old, Riley has been the mastermind behind three Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Williams.

Another important aspect to look out for is the quartet of upcoming sophomore receivers in Zachariah Branch, Duce Robinson, Jakobi Lane and Makai Lemon. In a glimpse of the future, this group of wide receivers combined for eight catches and 188 yards in last season’s Holiday Bowl win.

Branch, a true freshman First Team All-American last season, is looking to gain momentum from the spring into the regular season.

“We’re trying to get towards a certain goal, just making sure we’re getting better every day as one unit,” Branch said. “We’re getting closer towards that goal every day as we’re getting towards the spring game closer here we’re making the right leaps.”

Admission to the spring game is completely free, and you can get a first glimpse at the Trojans in their last game in the Pac-12 conference Saturday at noon at the Coliseum.