The same problems remain with the USCTrojans' defense seven games into the season. However, the offense for USC is picking up steam at the right time. This offense has its key stars playing better, and it is playing as a cohesive unit. The Trojans' defense needs to improve its biggest weakness; however, with the offense improving, the defense might just need to be average to win games.

Here is my breakdown for the USC Trojan players whose stock is going up and whose stock is going down after Week 6, heading into the off week:

Stock up:

Jayden Maiava, quarterback

Jayden Maiava had his best performance in a very key game. He ensured that all the talk about the Trojans playing on the road was put to bed. Maiava was the best quarterback on the field, and he looked every bit the part of a 1st-round draft pick quarterback. When he plays like this, the USC Trojans are hard to beat. The hope is that this play will continue, and then the Trojans will be on their way to some postseason success this year.

Tanook Hines, receiver

Tanook Hines stock is rising, and he is back to being that dangerous receiver he was last season. There is no doubt Jayden Maiava trusts him, and that will prove to be extremely valuable against Ohio State and Indiana. His performance against Penn State is just the beginning, and he will continue to be productive and find the end zone at a high rate.

Zacharyus Williams, receiver

Williams has been very consistent in his role, but in the last few weeks, more than ever, he has really become a key playmaker. He is a guy who can give the Trojans' offense 1 or 2 big plays a game. Every game, he is good for at least 40 yards receiving. He has sure hands, and he is elite at running medium routes. He is a very necessary piece for the offense, and I see him continuing to be a factor moving forward.

Vlad Dyakonov, offensive tackle

The freshman Vlad Dyakonov was thrown into the fire with Elijah Paige missing time with an injury, and he more than held his own. He took care of business and ensured Jayden Maiava was held up right all game long. This was an extremely impressive performance by Dyakonov. He gave great confidence that if Paige has to miss next week too, the Trojans have a great replacement on deck.

Jahkeem Stewart, defensive tackle

Jahkeem Stewart has become that disruptor for the Trojans' defense. He is making a huge impact, and it goes beyond just his production. He is elevating the Trojans' defense as a whole, not just making the defensive line better. Everyone now is benefiting from Stewart's return. With a player like him up the middle, USC's defense has some legit resistance.

Luke Wafle, defensive end

Luke Wafle stacked another dominant performance after winning Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Wafle had 5 total tackles, 1 sack, and 1.5 tackles for a loss. There is no doubt that Luke Wafle is going to show up in the big games, and he proved that last week. It is clear that Wafle has arrived now, and he is getting closer to his ceiling.

Kennedy Urlacher, corner

Kennedy Urlacher found his way in the backfield again for a sack. Gary Patterson knows exactly how to utilize Urlacher's skill set. It is no secret that when the Trojans' defense has success, Kennedy Urlacher is making plays. He is back on the right track, and I am excited to see how he plays in this upcoming stretch of games.

Stock down:

Backup running backs

With King Miller's ascension and his recent play, Lincoln Riley has found no need to give the backup running backs too many carries. Waymond Jordan has continued to see his workload plummet. Riley Wormley had a nice run going, but he saw no action the last 2 weeks. King Miller needs more carries himself, but it seems clear as day who is the most prioritized back in the backfield now.

Kayden Dixon-Wyatt

Dixon-Wyatt is still a rising star for the Trojans and a top weapon for Jayden Maiava. However, his time as the top option and the most productive receiver is up, as Trent Mosley is back. Trent Mosley being back will lessen Dixon-Wyatt's production, but the Trojans offense will still benefit from it. The pecking order now moving forward will be Trent Mosley at the top, and now Dixon-Wyatt and Tanook Hines battling for number 2. Dixon-Wyatt will still be a great player for USC moving forward, but his targets and production will now take a little bit of a hit.

Secondary

The Trojans' secondary still has to prove itself after the bye week. Right now, there is not a ton of confidence in this group with a game against Ohio State coming up on the horizon. Jeremiah Smith will put up over 200 yards on the Trojans' defense, given how much they have allowed the last few weeks. Things looked too easy for Rocco Becht and a banged-up Penn State receiver group. Gary Patterson and the secondary need to clean up before this upcoming schedule further exposes the Trojans' biggest weakness.