On Saturday, against No. 25 Southern California (3-0, 1-0) in its Big Ten opener, MSU (3-0) has a chance to play in a program-defining game — an opportunity to secure a program-defining victory. It’s a moment to reclaim the past while building a new Spartan future.

“This is a great opportunity for us to showcase our abilities and what we can do on the big stage,” junior defensive lineman Alex VanSumeren said. “We have a lot of respect for [USC], so it’s going to be a challenge but it’s nothing we’re not ready for. We’re confident in ourselves and our abilities.”

When playing a possible program-defining game, there are often peculiar circumstances that come with it. Playing out west – something that doesn’t favor MSU in the slightest – serves as a peculiar circumstance. 

The 11 p.m. kickoff (8 p.m. Pacific time) favors the Trojans — just as playing in the historic LA Memorial Coliseum does. Stepping off a plane in bustling Los Angeles, jet-lagged after traveling 2,000 miles, with kickoff against a grueling opponent less than 48 hours away, is a trip not for the faint of heart. The MSU football program can attest to that, as the Spartans haven’t won a regular-season game west of Colorado since 1957, when they defeated Cal 19-0.

For VanSumeren, he finds these peculiar circumstances obsolete in the grand scheme of things. 

“It’s a late kick, but we don’t really care about that,” VanSumeren said. “We can play at any time, we can play anywhere, we can play on concrete if we need to. We’re just excited for the opportunity." 

On top of these circumstances – obsolete or not – USC is good. Top 25 in the nation good. 

In three games played, USC has outscored its opponents 165-50, averaging 55 points per game (2nd in FBS) with 604 yards per game (1st in FBS) and 16.6 points allowed (41st in FBS). It doesn’t take a mathematician to calculate that the Trojans are putting up impressive offensive numbers, and albeit their weak schedule, they’ve proven themselves to be legit contenders after their 33-17 Big Ten opening victory against Purdue last Saturday, which launched them into the AP-top 25 poll. 

“We’ve got a game, they’ve got an offense, they have really good players, and we have to go out and do our job and limit the score,” defensive coordinator Joe Rossi said. “Our guys know it’s a challenge but I think they’re excited about the challenge, they respect their opponent, they're confident in their abilities, so we gotta go out there and compete on Saturday night.”

What makes this Trojan team dangerous is their high flying, fast moving offense led by junior quarterback Jayden Maiava. This season, the former three-star recruit has been humming with near perfection, going 48-for-70 with 989 yards and six touchdowns to zero interceptions. On the ground he also proves to be a liability, running the football only 11 times but finding the end zone twice. 

Maiava is a shifty quarterback who thrives on his quick release — the quickest MSU may see all season. He’s accurate, has a strong arm, and possesses raw NFL talent. Because of him, the Spartans' defense — which ranks 73rd in yards allowed and 98th in pass defense efficiency — needs to be on full alert.

To do this, MSU and its defensive problems must be adjusted. In the Spartan’s first three games, a lack of defensive consistency was evident, which was a product of miscommunications, technique issues, and being misaligned. To limit Maiava and his Trojan teammates, fixing these issues and bringing back consistency is paramount.

“I want to see consistent execution,” Rossi said. “Because I think that’s been lacking. So, it’s been the message this week in practice, and it’s been the goal moving into the next week.”

On the opposite sideline of Maiava is MSU junior quarterback Aidan Chiles and a Spartan offense that has done well this season. Chiles, who has shown progression in his decision making abilities, has gone 58-for-81 with 656 yards and six touchdowns to one interception. On the ground, he has 123 yards with one touchdown. 

What he’s up against this week is a respectable Trojan defense that can fly around the field, with hard-hitting, get to the ball guys that can end MSU’s chance at securing a program-defining victory.

Stopping a defense with such characteristics begins deep in the trenches. MSU’s offensive line has seen its fair share of struggles, allowing eight sacks (114th in FBS). On Saturday, its strength will be tested to a whole other level, playing a USC defense that has sacked the opposing quarterback 14 times (2nd in FBS). To give Chiles a clean pocket, identification at the line must be emphasized, and MSU running backs must be willing and able to pick up any free rusher. 

What also must be emphasized against this Trojan defense is ball security, decision making and time management. USC is prone to letting up yards – 319 yards per game (59th in FBS) – so moving the football shouldn’t be much of an issue to a Spartan offense that’s been capable of moving the ball all year. If MSU can get yardage, make good decisions and limit turnovers, it’ll keep MSU’s defense off the field, which keeps Maiava and his superstar teammates off the field as well. 

In essence, it’ll be a game where time of possession is key. 

“Playing complementary football is going to be huge,” offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren said. “Us being able to stay on the field, move the chains, that’ll be really big this week.”

There are headlines — the stats, the electric quarterback duo, the two historic programs, a pair of undefeated teams battling in a legendary venue after dark, and so on. Then there is the headline: chance.

On Saturday, Sept. 20, at 11 p.m. in the LA Memorial Coliseum, MSU will face USC in a game that offers the Spartans a chance to turn around a football program that has struggled in recent memory. The game will air on FOX.