The USC matchup against Pac-12 opponents from the state of Arizona in week nine is one of the more difficult duels of the season. USC defeated the Sun Devils in a close matchup to open the 2020 season. (Daily photo of trojan file)
Last year’s football season was chaotic for USC, which ranked 21st in the last AP poll of the season. The Trojans remained undefeated in their shortened conference-only schedule until they were defeated by Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship, whereupon the decision was made not to play a bowl game.
This year’s talented squad will be ranked 15th on the preseason AP rankings, aiming for the USC’s first conference title since 2017 and the university’s first ever college football playoff appearance. Throughout their journey, the Trojans will pass some difficult tests both inside and outside the Pac-12 game.
5th week 12 vs. BYU
The Cougars ended their previous season on a high note, losing just one game, finishing the year as the nation’s No. 11 team and winning the Boca Raton Bowl against UCF. Much of BYU’s success could be attributed to its former star and current New York Jets QB Zack Wilson, who was number 2 in this year’s NFL draft; However, it is not advisable for the Trojans to brush them aside this year.
Even if they start the season without a rank, if BYU meets USC in the regular season finale at the Coliseum, they could have the potential to destroy the Trojans’ hopes in the postseason. The last time the two teams faced each other in Provo in 2019, the Cougars clinched a 30-27 overtime win, the program’s first win over USC in school history.
4. Week 6 vs. Utah
The next team that will be a tough match for the Trojans will stay in the same state and will be Utah. The Utes will travel to Los Angeles for a mid-season test on October 9th. Conference games against Pac-12 South Division opponents are always tough with more at stake in the table, so USC Utah shouldn’t be taken lightly, even though the Trojans have won their last two games against the Utes.
One key player Trojans needs to prepare for is Utes’ linebacker Devin Lloyd, who is expected to be one of the best at his position nationwide this year and was a finalist for the Butkus Award 2020. Utah, ranked 24th this year, could try to trip USC mid-season.
3rd week 11 vs. UCLA
After last year’s thriller at the Rose Bowl, where USC 43-38 won with a last-minute touchdown, the Trojans are looking forward to this year’s edition of the LA rivalry at home at the Coliseum. Although UCLA wasn’t in the top 25 earlier this season, they put in a strong performance against Hawaii in Week 0, winning 44-10.
A real test of how well the Bruins will play this season, however, will be their game against LSU No. 16 on September 4th at the Rose Bowl. Like any rivalry, the USC-UCLA game will be tough for the Trojans in any case, especially since it is scheduled for the end of the season.
2. Week 9 in the state of Arizona
As in many games last season when USC played Arizona State in the season opener, the Trojans barely got away with a win and won 28:27 after a hugely successful recoil recovery. Now the Trojans have to head to Tempe, Arizona to play against a Sun Devils team in 25th place.
As with UCLA, the importance of this game depends on how well the Sun Devils handle their games ahead of their November game against the Trojans. The results against opponents such as Utah, Stanford and UCLA will help clarify the level of threat posed to this Arizona state team. Considered one of the top 100 players in the country, junior quarterback Jayden Daniels can be a tough challenge for the USC defense.
1. Week 7 in Notre Dame
As in pretty much every football season, the big game is more against the Trojans’ South Bend rivals. The Fighting Irish are ranked 9th this season after reaching the College Football Playoffs last year. Although their inclusion in them gave rise to some controversy because they suffered heavy losses in both the ACC championship to Clemson and in the playoff semifinals to Alabama, they are ready to be a strong team again this time around.
Looking for a replacement for their star quarterback Ian Book, who went to the New Orleans Saints, Notre Dame has two strong talents with Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan and freshman Tyler Buchner battling it out for the starting gun. Overall, this matchup in Indiana at the end of October has to get the most out of the Trojans.
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