1. Michigan's defense was repugnant
USC's running backs made Michigan's defenders look childish. A 49-yard run on third and 26 is the epitome of that. Even without Waymond Jordan active, King Miller ran for a career day. The freshman was running free like Kalel Mullings did a year ago. Michigan's defense has not given up more than 200 rushing yards since the Fiesta Bowl loss to TCU.
Lincoln Riley's gameplan was reminiscent of his Oklahoma days, but more impressively was his defense. They blanketed Michigan's running game to a season low and the least it has produced since the Texas defeat last September. Riley gave Jedd Fisch a blueprint on how to dissect Michigan's vaunted defense and Jonah Coleman is more than capable of doing so.
USC has been criticized for its softness before in the Riley era. He has mentioned Michigan as a measuring stick for the Trojans to replicate before and that's got to feel euphoric for a sleeping giant to finally reach it.