USC, Illinois Face Program-Defining Test in Big Noon Showdown

When USC travels to Illinois for "Big Noon Saturday," it won’t just be a ranked matchup, it will be a referendum on where each program is headed.

Lincoln Riley’s Trojans are off to a 4–0 start, riding the momentum of a high-scoring offense and looking to prove this team can compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Meanwhile, Bret Bielema’s Illinois team is reeling from a crushing 53-point loss to Indiana that raised plenty of questions.

FOX Sports college football writers RJ Young and Michael Cohen preview this weekend's Big Noon showdown between USC and Illinois:

RJ Young: If USC loses on Saturday, it will be a shock to the Trojans. They’re 6-0 in Champaign, Illinois, and this Lincoln Riley team looks and feels like his Oklahoma teams that won conference titles and played in the College Football Playoff. It’s also a perfect spot for his latest pupil at quarterback, Jayden Maiava.

With Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer sidelined for multiple weeks following surgery on his right hand on Wednesday, Maiava has a prime opportunity to leap to the front of the Heisman conversation with a standout performance. He currently ranks second only to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza in total touchdowns (16). Illinois’ Luke Altmyer might have been in the same conversation — boasting 10 touchdowns and no turnovers — but his team is still struggling to find its footing in the win column.

A loss for USC would reinforce the narrative that’s taken shape since Lincoln Riley’s arrival in 2022: a program that’s solid, but not built to win championships. For Illinois, a loss could mark the start of a downward spiral that is tough to stop.

Michael Cohen: This is a fascinating question because of the vast differences in remaining strength of