O/NSO: 2023 USC game-by-game predictions edition – Part 2
The Obvious: It’s time for Part 2 of our 2023 USC preseason game-by-game predictions. Last week, the O/NSO predicted games for the first-half season, which not surprisingly resulted in a perfect 6-0 record.
The Not So Obvious: With training camp set to commence later next week, the O/NSO takes a look at the backend of the final six games of the regular season, a schedule that upgrades considerably with a sequence of games that includes at Notre Dame, Utah, at Cal, Washington, at Oregon, and UCLA. How will the Men of Troy fare and what overall record will they finish the regular season?
Read on…
THE OBVIOUS GAME 7 – AT NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
(Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
Date: Oct. 14
Location: South Bend, Indiana
Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium (77,795)
Time and TV: 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET/NBC
2022 ND record: 9-4
Head coach: Marcus Freeman (2nd season/9-5 HC overall)
OC: Gerad Parker
DC: Al Golden
Returning starters: Off. 6, Def. 6, SPT. 0
Playing surface: Artificial turf
Game before USC: At Louisville (Oct. 7)
Game after USC: Pittsburgh (Oct. 28)
THE NOT-SO-OBVIOUS NOTRE DAME POINTS OF VIEW:
The optimist: Oh, those Irish, those crazy dudes from that boring town of South Bend have waited less than a year to get their shillelaghs decapitated again by Mr. Heisman, Caleb the Conqueror. Let’s see, the last time we saw the Crying Irish they were embarrassed on national ESPN television by the Men of Troy, 38-27, in a Coliseum game not as close as the score indicated.
Let me tell you, Mister, South Bend is a lot closer to Chicago than last season’s USC-ND final score. Caleb will again drive the Irish defense nuts, the “new” USC defense will frustrate ND senior transfer QB Sam Hartman, and I fully expect Eddy Street adjacent to Notre Dame Stadium to be an avenue of tears. The Irish will be physical, and their misguided supporters will be fired up at kickoff. However, in the end, Caleb Williams will tattoo at least 40 points on those golden dome defensive helmets, and the Irish won’t be able to keep up the pace.
The pessimist: God bless you, old buddy, but you’re annoying and naive. I guarantee you that Notre Dame and its fabled stadium will be rocking on the night of Oct. 14, and if this ND team is 7-0 (provided they can defeat Ohio State in SB on Sept. 23) by the time the Trojans roll into this tiny northern Indiana hamlet, look out and all bets are off. Last season, the Trojans had to defend an average ND offense with a below-average quarterback named Drew Pyne, now at ASU, and they still move the ball.
Of course, the Irish offensive line is again loaded with future NFL draft picks led by preseason All-America tackle Joe Alt (6-8, 315), a solid running back unit led by junior Audric Estime, and the ND offense finally has a real quarterback in former Wake Forest star Sam Hartman, who can-and-will burn the Trojans’ defense if they can’t get to him early and often. If this game comes down to a fourth-quarter field goal, I am not sure the Trojans are up to the task in that department. Warning: The Trojans better not fall behind and allow the Irish faithful to stay into it for four quarters or our beloved Trojans will leave this joint with their first loss of the season.
Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt (#76)
(Photo above by Katherine Gawlik/Blue & Gold).
The realist: Played at a neutral site and not in Notre Dame Stadium, the Trojans win this game by 10 points. However, more times than not the House that Rockne Built has also been a venue of horror for USC over the generations. It’s going to take Caleb’s best game to date to beat Notre Dame in South Bend. The Cardinal and Gold must get out of the gate early and pile on as many points as possible in the first half to shut up the zealot Irish followers. And they need to score and score in the second half. No way the Trojans want to be caught in a dogfight heading into the fourth quarter. However, if they do, let’s remember the Irish don’t have Caleb Williams, and that element should spell the difference – green jerseys or not.
Comment: The 2023 Trojans will get their first taste of a really big-time national game, but USC fans should arrive in huge Notre Dame Weekender numbers, both in Chicago and at the game, so there will be plenty of cardinal and gold support, which includes the full Trojans Marching Band. All will make their presence felt, and there is nothing worse for the Irish than opposing fans neutralizing the Notre Dame Stadium partisans’ so-called advantage.
THE O/NSO PREDICTION: USC 38, ND 34
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THE OBVIOUS GAME 8 – UTAH UTES
Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Getty Images
Date: Oct. 21
Location: Los Angeles
Stadium: Memorial Coliseum (77,500)
Time and TV: TBD
2022 UT record: 10-2, 7-2 Pac-12
Head coach: Kyle Whittingham (19th season/154-74 HC overall)
OC: Andy Ludwig
DC: Morgan Scalley
Returning starters: Off. 7, Def. 9, SPT. punter
Playing surface: Bermuda grass
Game before USC: Cal (Oct. 14)
Game after USC: Oregon (Oct. 28)
THE NOT-SO-OBVIOUS UTAH GAME POINTS OF VIEW:
The optimist: Aren’t we all a little fed-up hearing that Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is a better coach than Lincoln Riley? Uh, how many trips to the CFP have Whittingham’s teams gone to? How many? I can’t hear you. And don’t give me that crap because Whittingham beat the Trojans twice last season, so he is superior to our beloved coach Riley. In the first game at Utah last season, the Trojans held the upper hand until those notorious Pac-12 refs got involved and linebacker Erik Gentry went down for the season, which affected the Utah game greatly including the game-winning two-point conversion late in the game, a conversion that was directed at Gentry’s replacement.
As far as the Pac-12 title game last season in Las Vegas, let’s not forget that the Trojans were well ahead of the Utes until Caleb’s hamstring went on strike. As for the present, the Utes never win in Los Angeles, and they’re not going to win this Saturday either: not with senior Cam Rising or no Cam Rising at quarterback, a physical defense, and a large Utes turnout. And, BTW, throw in that overrated junior DL Junior Tafuna, no problem. It’s all Trojans in a Coliseum sellout on national television. This isn’t Rice-Eccles Stadium, folks, and that’s a game-changer, as well.
The pessimist: Do you work at being a dunce or were you just born that way? Stupid is what stupid says. Look, this is all rather simple. Utah DID beat the Trojans twice last season and the second time was on a neutral field. Granted Caleb pulled a hamstring, but things happen in a game without being tackled. However, does that account for the way the USC defense performed when it counted and was dominated by the Utah offense to the point of “Who’s your daddy?” Let’s just say it: unless the Trojans suddenly grow some manly hair, it will repeat itself in 2023…even in the Coliseum. Oh, here’s a little reminder, have the Trojans figured out a way to stop the Utah tight end? Here’s some horrifying news: Senior Brant Kuithe returns as the Utes tight end after being out last season with an injury. And here’s a little food for thought: The Utah offensive line will be anchored by guard Keaton Bills and tackle Sataoa Laumea, both juniors and preseason first-team All-Pac-12 selections.
Veteran Utah senior quarterback Cameron Rising
(Photo above by Brian Rothmuller | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
What we all need to know is how much did the physical play at Notre Dame take out of the Trojans? Who will not play this week against Utah? Could Caleb be one of the walking wounded? And what if the Trojans lost to Notre Dame last Saturday, what will be the mindset for the Cardinal and Gold? This will be a dogfight of a game and the tougher dog usually wins. Need I say more, or have I said enough to inject some reality here?
The realist: Well, you both have some passionate views on your perspectives. Now let’s try to show some reality here. The Trojans need to beat Utah at home to at least gain a tie in the pole position for the Pac-12 race. There are a lot of motivating reasons for USC to play at its highest standard to this point. I suspect Caleb will be Caleb without the hamstring issue, and Utah’s Cam Rising, a big-game competitor, will play at his best. IMHO, if Caleb plays his best and Cam plays his best, the Trojans will win. If USC’s defensive line, led by Georgia transfer Bear Alexander, can get to Rising and rough him up, the Trojans’ efforts to win will greatly increase. Utah cannot again dominate the Trojans physically but in players like talented sophomore linebacker Lander Barton and junior safety Cole Bishop, the Men of Troy will be challenged again.
This game will be a test of wills and fortitude. Both teams have the ability to play their style of game. If USC plays its style of game and Utah plays its style of game, the Trojans will win because they have better skills players. There is a sense here that unless USC pulls an El Foldo in the Coli, the Trojans will be in good shape. We know what Utah is capable of doing to the boys in cardinal and gold, so there should be no need for over-optimism or over-pessimism.
Comment: In combining the results of the Utah game outcome with the Notre Dame result, it will be quite clear where the Trojans are residing in both the national and conference perception and reality. It will be either full stream ahead or damage control.
THE O/NSO PREDICTION: USC 43 UTAH 33
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THE OBVIOUS GAME 9 – AT CAL BEARS
(Photo by Michael Urakami/Getty Images)
Date: Oct. 28
Location: Berkeley
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (63,000)
Time and TV: TBD
2022 Cal record: 4-8, 2-7 Pac-12
Head coach: Justin Wilcox (6th season/30-36 HC overall)
OC: Jake Spavital
DC: Peter Sirmon
Returning starters: Off. 8, Def. 9, SPT. None
Playing surface: Field Turf
Game before USC: At Utah (Oct. 14)
Game after USC: At Oregon (Nov. 4)
THE NOT-SO-OBVIOUS CAL POINTS OF VIEW:
The optimist: As optimistic as I am and usually correct in my thinking process, there is even more optimism heading into the last Bay Area Weekender as a member of the Pac-12 Conference, once the Conference of Champions. Maybe it should now be called the Conference of Defections. After back-to-back games against Notre Dame and Utah, the Cal Bears couldn’t have come next on the schedule with better timing. If the Trojans are 8-0 heading into Cal, beautiful Memorial Stadium will be rocking…with USC fans. Moooohahahaha. I honestly believe the Bears will try to play physical defense, but that won’t stop the USC offense. Lincoln Riley’s offense could fall out of bed and still score 45 points against Cal. I know that Cal’s head coach Justin Wilcox used to be the Trojans’ defensive coordinator, but that will mean very little in this game. Caleb Williams can do that to your defensive confidence.
By the time the Bears host the Trojans, Cal’s record should put Coach Wilcox at the front of the college football firing line. I am predicting the Bears to be 2-5 when they take the field against the undefeated Trojans. Nothing tells me that Cal can beat the Trojans. The Bears’ offense was a clown car under previous OC Bill Musgrave and has been replaced by Jake Spavital, who is returning to Cal after a stint at Texas State. Why in the world would somebody want to jump on this sinking ship? Upon further review, this game will be a rout no matter what the Trojans’ record is going into Strawberry Canyon.
The pessimist: So basically, you’re saying that Cal is freshly minted dung, and there is no reason or threat to the Trojans winning, and the only positive joy here is that this is the last of the popular Bay Area Weekender as we know it? No matter what you want to say about Cal’s deficiencies, it’s likely those negative points are more about the offense, led by sophomore running back Jaydn Ott, and not the defense, which is led by senior linebacker Jackson Sirmon, son of Cal DC and former USC coach Peter Sirmon. Under Wilcox, the Bears play hard, play physical, and despite their offensive limitations of the past, they do come to compete. With the Trojans leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten in 2024, there is no question in my mind that the Cal Bears will be ready and if Arizona earlier is not the “trap game,” then this one for sure has the potential to be a trap game for the Trojans.
Cal sophomore standout running back Jaydn Ott (#6)
(Photo above by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Maybe the 2023 team will have a game where everything seems to go awry, and turnovers appear like holes in a sinking ship, maybe this is that type of game. If the Trojans are striving for a national playoff spot and remain undefeated, the pressure could be enormous. I am not saying we’ll choke, but who knows how this team will react if they are in a spotless position to get CFP votes and continues to strive for a spot in the Pac-12 title game. Will they be feeling the pressure?
The realist: Regardless of the Trojans’ record, the Men of Troy will compete or suffer the wrath of both Lincoln Riley and his position coaches. With Washington, at Oregon, and UCLA the next three games, there is no way the Trojans can afford not to take it one game at a time. A slip-up at Cal would put Troy in a difficult spot, and it could strip away the momentum of the previous games. As has been mentioned already several times, Caleb Williams will keep his team afloat because he is a true competitor no matter the score or the team’s record. That’s why he’s the best player in college football who can change the course of a game or a team at any given time.
And remember, that Cal will be led by sophomore TCU transfer quarterback Sam Jackson V, who threw only six passes in two seasons for the Horned Frogs. The talent difference between the Trojans and Cal has never been bigger the past five seasons. That won’t change in Berkeley.
Comment: Enjoy the last Bay Area Weekender with Cal as we know it. If the game is played in the daytime, the view of the Bay and San Francisco can be breathtaking. The game might not be, but there will still be plenty of visual memories for the last conference hurrah on the campus and Memorial Stadium. Just pray for no rain or wind.
THE O/NSO PREDICTION: USC 45, CAL 17
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THE NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME 10 – WASHINGTON HUSKIES
Steph Chambers/Getty Images.
Date: Nov. 4
Location: Los Angeles
Stadium: Coliseum (77,500)
Time and TV: TBD
2022 UW record: 11-2, 7-2 Pac-12
Head coach: Kalen DeBoer (2nd season/23-8 HC overall)
OC: Ryan Grubb
DC: William Inge
Returning starters: Off. 7, Def. 8, SPT. punter
Playing surface: Bermuda grass
Game before USC: At Stanford (Oct. 28)
Game after USC: Utah (Nov. 11)
THE NOT-SO-OBVIOUS WASHINGTON POINTS OF VIEW:
The optimist: Woof, woof, here comes the dogs of the University of Overrated. Let’s just get this out of the way to show our fairness. If Washington defeats Michigan State in East Lancing and then proceeds on Oct. 14 to beat Oregon in Husky Stadium, the Huskies will come to the Coliseum undefeated. I’ll bet your money on it. Okay, no argument here that UW is really good under second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, and flashy senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is a top NFL prospect. But, he ain’t no Caleb Williams, and the sold-out Coliseum on USC’s Homecoming Game will provide the type of support that the Huskies have never seen from Los Angeles fans.
To be fair, I expect this game to be a battle, and the scoreboard should be constantly adding points to both sides. However, I believe that the USC defense will once and for all prove to the country that they are a force to be reckoned with, thanks to the play of preseason first-team All-Pac-12 inside linebackers Mason Cobb and Eric Gentry. UW quarterback Penix will see a swarming USC pass rush with violence in their eyes, and he will be tracked down like the Husky dog that he is. I get that the Washington defense is a force with a number of standouts, but Caleb has a way of neutralizing defenses. And don’t forget, Washington didn’t play Williams and the Trojans last season. And here’s a little something, by this time of the season the Trojans’ own offensive line should be plenty ready for the UW defense led by defensive linemen Bralen Trice, preseason All-Pac-12 and senior edge Zion Tupuola-Fetui.
The pessimist: Boy, let’s not even play the game, and who decided to select a talented UW team as Troy’s Homecoming Game? I am sure that there won’t be UW bulletin board material in the Huskies locker room during the week – nah. The way Mr. O is talking, will Washington even have the courage to fly down to L.A. and compete against the Trojans? Please, let’s not fool ourselves. It’s probable that UW could be right with USC in both the national and conference rankings, and this game could be the Pac-12 Game of the Season – at least for a week until the Trojans travel to Oregon.
UW quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is the Husky’s version of Caleb, and some believe that Penix was better last season than Caleb, believe it or not. If the Trojans’ defense reverts to last season’s form or doesn’t live up to his preseason billing as vastly improved, it will show in this game. The Trojans’ D-line will be seriously challenged by the UW O-line consisting of junior Troy Fautanu, another preseason All-Pac-12 choice. And let’s also note that UW has some great receivers in juniors Rome Odunze, a preseason All-Pac-12 selection, and junior Jalen McMillian, which should severely test the Trojans’ secondary. If those two aren’t checked, you can bet that Trojans’ secondary coach Donte Williams will be hearing about it from the stands.
Washington’s sensational senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (#9)
(Photo above by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The realist: As always, a little sanity after listening to our two other distinguished panelists. This game will likely not be won by the offenses, which figure to capture the nation with their explosiveness, but by the play of either team’s defense to make stops. FYI, Washington has a stud DB in senior Asa Turner. Make no mistake about it, USC defensive coordinator Alex Grinch knows that his schemes and designs will be under heavy scrutiny on how his units perform against Kalen DeBoer’s offense, and BTW, DeBoer is also the UW offensive coordinator adding more spice to the afternoon.
Bringing some fairness, no doubt that Husky fans in Seattle will have their own defensive coordinator, Williams Inge, on their radar. Inge will have his own panic trying to figure out Caleb Williams, but his UW front seven is very aggressive, which means the USC O-line may get their toughest test of the season. The Huskies have no noticeable weakness, the Trojans’ defense is still a question mark, and if the game gets down to field goals, neither team boasts exceptional field goal kickers, and if field position is critical, the Trojans have a weapon in highly regarded ASU transfer punter Eddie Czaplicki, a preseason All-Pac-12 choice.
Comment: This will be Washington’s first visit to the Coliseum since 2015, a Thursday night game they won, 17-12, before 63,623. Clay Helton was the Trojans’ interim head coach who had replaced Steve Sarkisian after “Sark” had been fired earlier for inappropriate conduct.
THE O/NSO PREDICTION: USC 48, WASHINGTON 44
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THE OBVIOUS GAME 11 – AT OREGON DUCKS
(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Date: Nov. 11
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Stadium: Autzen (54,000)
Time and TV: TBD
2022 UO record: 10-3, 7-2 Pac-12
Head coach: Dan Lanning (2nd season/10-3 HC overall)
OC: Will Stain
DC: Tosh Lupoi
Returning starters: Off. 8, Def. 8, SPT. kicker
Playing surface: Field Turf
Game before USC: Cal (Nov. 4)
Game after USC: At ASU (Nov. 18)
THE NOT-SO-OBVIOUS OREGON GAME POINTS OF VIEW:
The optimist: Duck U. is what I say when I hear talk about the University of Oregon and its football team. Only the incompetence of USC’s own clown car decision-making over the decade has allowed Uncle Phil Knight’s Nike college to have success. Yes, the Ducks have had their moments in recent times, but it will be more than made up when the Trojans beat the fowls inside Autzen Stadium, whose loudness is overshadowed by the vulgarities of its student body. Oregon may be favored in this game because it’s in Eugene, but that’s how we like it. Make it hurt. I recall when the Trojans “upset” the Mallards back in 2011 in a very cold 38-35 Trojans win before 59,993 depressed Oregonians. It was better than sex…well almost.
So, I know Oregon fans say this Ducks team is super-fast, and senior quarterback Bo Nix -about as erratic and inconsistent as QBs come – sees this game as his 60-minutes of national glory with a win over Caleb and the highly-ranked Trojans. Nix will no doubt have his moments, but Caleb will be one continuous moment like Matt Barkley had back in 2011 when he passed the ball at will or should I say passed the ball will to Marqise Lee, who was unstoppable that freezing night. The Trojans will bring more firepower to Eugene than they did with Barkley’s team. This Ducks team is not as physical as in years past, and do you think that offensive genius Lincoln Riley is going to let that alleged defensive genius and UO head coach Dan Lanning dictate the game? Last season’s UO defense had issues in all three of their losses (Georgia, Washington, Oregon State) in 2022. Have they fixed their issues?
The pessimist: My dear optimistic boy, I told you not to drink before doing this interview, but as usual you didn’t listen. Granted that before the Ducks host the Trojans, they will have played at both Washington and at Utah. So, who knows what their record will be? They could be undefeated or about to be blown out of the water in their quest for another Pac-12 title. See, that’s the point. Here we are near end of the season, and Oregon’s future could be in the midst of another Pac-12 title run, a national playoff possibility, or simply be fading off into the Oregon Coast.
If the Trojans’ defense doesn’t play at maximum effort – and who knows what the Washington game physically and emotionally takes out of the team in general – it could be tough. This one could be the Trojans’ lone loss of the regular season, provided they haven’t taken a powder or two beforehand.
Honestly, if Bo Nix has the type of game he is capable, the Trojans are going to be extremely tested defensively to keep up the pace even with Caleb’s offense. I am not sure the Trojans as a team are ready for Autzen Stadium, but what team is? Sure, you can say the Trojans played at Notre Dame and survived, but Autzen Stadium is much more intimate and as loud as any stadium in the country especially if its team is on the cusp of a big victory. I know, I’ve heard it firsthand. That said, if the Trojans don’t get a big lead against the Ducks early, and the game does go into the fourth quarter tight, common sense would say side out to the Ducks.
Oregon’s talented senior quarterback Bo Nix (#10)
(Photo above by Ali Gradischer / Stringer PhotoG/Getty)
The realist: As always, this game is going to come down to turnovers. Actually, it’s quite simple as I see it. If Bo Nix plays a flawless game – which he is capable of doing – he just needs to take the game into the fourth quarter, and then it comes down to poise and determination. Don’t discount that Oregon has an outstanding running back in junior Bucky Irving, a dangerous receiver in junior Troy Franklin who will give the Trojans all they can handle, and the Ducks have a good one in senior defensive lineman Brandon Dorius. Is this a vintage Oregon team from the past? No, but they have what it takes to pull out a victory. The game could come down to the kicking game, and Oregon has a good one in senior placekicker Camden Lewis.
Comment: Forget about offense for a moment and consider which team will play better defense. Both teams had issues last season on defense. The difference could be the Autzen Stadium environment and support, so if the Trojans are going to lose this regular season, it will be at Oregon.
THE O/NSO PREDICTION: OREGON 43, USC 42
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THE OBVIOUS GAME 12 – UCLA BRUINS
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Date: Nov. 18
Location: Los Angeles
Stadium: Memorial Coliseum (77,500)
Time and TV: TBD
2022 UCLA record: 9-4, 6-3 Pac-12
Head coach: Chip Kelly (6th season/73-36 HC overall)
OC: Chip Kelly
DC: D’Anton Lynn
Returning starters: Off. 7, Def. 9, SPT. punter/kicker
Playing surface: Bermuda grass
Game before USC: ASU (Nov. 11)
Game after USC: Cal (Nov. 25)
THE NOT-SO-OBVIOUS UCLA GAME POINTS OF VIEW:
The optimist: How cool will it be to beat the Westwooders in the Coliseum in the last season the crosstown rivals are paired as members of the feeble Pac-12 Conference? Let me tell you dudes, if UCLA can win this game with a true freshman at quarterback in Dante Moore, the former 5-star from state of Michigan, and outgun the nation’s greatest player in junior All-America QB Caleb Williams, then this game is rigged. Okay, maybe Moore won’t be the starter against the Trojans and junior Ethan Garbers will be the guy. It won’t matter. I don’t care how skilled head coach Chip Kelly is as his own offensive coordinator and how proficient a play caller, he ain’t no Lincoln Riley.
The facts are that UCLA lost too many “stars” from last season’s offense, and it will show in this game. Defensively, if you think the Trojans had a lot to prove this season, the Ruins aren’t far behind. Last season, they tackled like they were trying to bring down Jello. Furthermore, at the Rose Bowl last season, the Bruins gave up 48 points to the Men of Troy, and do you really think that Caleb and company won’t break a 50-spot in the Coli?
The pessimist: Apparently, Mr. O has forgotten that although the Trojans scored 48 points against the UCLA defense, have we forgotten the Bruins’ offense tacked up 45 points against the sieve of a USC defense? In fact, it took a late fourth-quarter interception by – of all people – Korey Foreman to seal it. By the time the Trojans play UCLA in the Trojans’ final game of the regular season, you know Chip Kelly will figure it out and present a challenge to the Trojans’ defense. In fact, one would think that Kelly fully understands what Trojans’ DC Alex Grinch schemes are all about.
As far as defending Caleb, the Bruins have some talent on defense in senior DL Laiatu Latu and former Trojans DL Jay Toia, now a junior. Playing behind them is senior inside linebacker Darius Muasau. Latu and Muasau are both preseason All-Pac-12 choices. The Bruins also return placekicker Blake Glessner, and punter Will Powers, and there’s nothing like experience in the kicking department.
UCLA’s Laiatu Latu (#15) is a defensive line standout for the Bruins.
(Photo above by Shayne Smith/UCLA Athletics)
The realist: By this time of the season, the Trojans’ offensive line could spell a big difference in this game. Led by senior center Justin Dedich and an O-line that also consists of junior Jonah Monheim, seniors Jarrett Kingston and Michael Tarquin, and sophomore Emmanual Pregnon, this could be as good as any offensive line on the West Coast. You’ll also get no argument that Caleb Williams play can elevate the level of any offensive line with his ability to make plays out of the pocket.
Comment: Only a fool really knows what’s going to happen in a USC-UCLA rivalry game. Sure, on paper, you know what should happen, but history has shown us that rivalry games aren’t won on paper. However, with Caleb probably playing his final game in the Coliseum, and the fact that everything could be on the line for the Trojans, expect the cardinal and gold to come out roaring.
THE O/NSO PREDICTION: USC 52, UCLA 34
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Schedule note: The Trojans conclude the regular season schedule with a second seasonal bye after the UCLA game. If Troy makes the Pac-12 title game in Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 1, they will have an extra week to prepare for their opponent, which will likely be a rematch with somebody they played during the regular conference season.
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The Obvious: And finally, what will make a successful season record-wise? Undefeated? One loss? Two losses? Win the Pac-12 or bust? Advance to the CFP post-season with Caleb Williams or bust?
The Not So Obvious: Overall, the final 2023 regular season record depends on your point of view.
The optimist: The Trojans will finish the regular season 12-0
The pessimist: The Trojans will finish the regular season 9-3
The realist: The Trojans will finish the regular season 11-1
The O/NSO regular season prediction: 11-1
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