This season, USC football starting quarterback Jayden Maiava has consistently been the best quarterback on the football field in the Trojans' games. He has stepped up and outshone the opposing quarterback most weeks, and as a result, the Trojans are sitting at 6-1.

Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Colton Joseph enters this week's game against USC as the biggest X-factor. If the Badgers win, it will be because of him, and if he plays poorly, the Badgers will lose. That has been the notion for Wisconsin this entire season. He is the Badgers' offense. He leads the Badgers in rushing yards with 333 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns.

As a passer, he has 1198 yards, 10 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions this season. That is with not the best consistency among his receivers. He can hurt the Trojans still in the pocket and with his legs. The bright side is that if the Trojans bottle him up, the Badgers offense will have no success.

I think Joseph will give the Trojans problems. USC tends to struggle against mobile quarterbacks. I expect him to throw for 200 yards and run for 60 yards. However, the Trojans will have the best quarterback on the field. The Wisconsin Badgers defense is the better unit, and their secondary is as elite as anyone. Jayden Maiava will still have a great performance.

Maiava is playing with great confidence, and Lincoln Riley will put him in position to get the best of the Badgers' defense. Maiava will throw for 250+ yards in this game and 2 passing touchdowns. Facing a tougher unit defensively will force Maiava to use his legs. That will also play into him having success. Maiava's legs, just like Joseph's, can be used as a weapon. I think Maiava will also run for 60 yards in this game.

This will be another game where the Trojans are reminded that they have one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Maiava's play in Week 8 should also generate more buzz around him being in Heisman talks. Maiava has been one of the most underrated players in the country; it is time for him to get his respect. That may come officially with a great game next week, but the confidence and momentum will be at an all-time high heading into that game after this performance.