ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Certainly, Lincoln Riley thought his introduction to the Big Ten would go much different. But the bruising, physical conference welcomed him and the USC Trojans in by showcasing a complete lack of a passing offense on the other side, along with a ferocious defensive attack.

Michigan football appeared to be going backwards and USC was still reveling in its Week 1 win over a potentially overhyped LSU team. Still, the Wolverines had lost to Texas in Week 2 and the Trojans were flying high coming into Ann Arbor for their first-ever Big Ten game.

Physicality had been an emphasis in practice over the last week. And so was situational football. After Michigan’s offense struggled to move the chains and generate much offense during the second half of its 27-24 win over No.