The USC Trojans finished last season as well as anyone, winning their final nine games to end the year as the Rose Bowl champions. The future is bright for USC, but they must take a step forward. A Pac-12 title and College Football Playoff berth are the goals this year - can they accomplish those? Here's a game-by-game prediction of USC's schedule this year:
Week 1: vs. Western Michigan Broncos
Prediction: WIN (1-0)
Western Michigan is fresh of a Cotton Bowl berth, but without head coach P.J. Fleck, No. 5 overall pick Corey Davis and four-year QB Zach Terrell, the Broncos can't compete.
Week 2: vs. Stanford Cardinal
Prediction: WIN (2-0)
Stanford's offense has to find a way to replace Christian McCaffrey, which will take some time. They'll still be working out the kinks this early in the season - meaning USC wins comfortably.
Week 3: vs. Texas Longhorns
Prediction: WIN (3-0)
This will be a coming out party for the Longhorns - even though it will come in a loss. Heisman favorite Sam Darnold and the Trojans are one of a handful of legitimate national championship favorites and are extremely talented on both sides of the ball. I expect Texas to be able to keep pace with them for most of the game before USC wins by a touchdown.
Week 4: at Cal Golden Bears
Prediction: WIN (4-0)
Cal may not win a conference game this season. This will be an easy win for the Trojans.
Week 5: at Washington State Cougars
Prediction: WIN (5-0)
Washington State was one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country in Luke Falk, who runs Mike Leach's offense to perfection. However, their defense isn't great. USC wins in a shootout.
Week 6: vs. Oregon State Beavers
Prediction: WIN (6-0)
USC hasn't lost at home to Oregon State since 1960, and that streak isn't going to break this year.
Week 7: vs. Utah Utes
Prediction: WIN (7-0)
Utah figures to be the biggest competition to USC in the Pac-12 South but they haven't beaten USC at the Coliseum in over 100 years. The Utes will put up a fight, but he Trojans will win.
Week 8: at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Prediction: WIN (8-0)
It looks like this will be Brian Kelly's final season in South Bend. The Irish need to find an answer at quarterback and improve drastically on defense. USC wins in a blowout, even on the road.
Week 9: at Arizona State Sun Devils
Prediction: WIN (9-0)
Arizona State's offense is fine, but their defense has been one of the worst in the conference for several years. Expect a big game from Darnold.
Week 10: vs. Arizona Wildcats
Prediction: WIN (10-0)
The Wildcats are 10-17 over the last two years thanks to an absolutely terrible defense - and that's not changing this year.
Week 11: at Colorado Buffaloes
Prediction: WIN (11-0)
This could be USC's toughest road test of the year, but the Buffs are having to replace quarterback Sefo Liufau and eight defensive starters. Darnold should exploit that inexperience.
Week 12: vs. UCLA Bruins
Prediction: WIN (12-0)
The Battle for LA has been swinging back in favor of the Trojans over the last few years. UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen needs to have a bounce-back year, and the rest of their roster showed its holes as they went 4-8 last year. Anything can happen in a rivalry game, but USC should win comfortably.
Week 13: BYE
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