Before USC opened training camp, coach Clay Helton was asked about the meat grinder that the Trojans must navigate early in their schedule.
He was asked about Week 2 opponent Stanford and Week 3 opponent Texas. He was not asked about USC’s opener against Western Michigan. But Helton put the Broncos in the same category anyway.
“We know those are going to be three fist fights,” Helton said. “We learned from last year how important it is to start fast. You can do all you want in October and November, and we’ve been really good, but if you don’t start fast, it’s hard to get where you want to be.