Six USC Games That Will Provide Fireworks in 2023
As part of our Fourth of July celebratory series, we’re now looking ahead to the 2023 season and picking seven USC games that will provide fireworks. The truth is this exercise started at four games. But it’s impossible to limit the list to just four. It’s difficult enough to cap it at six and the easiest way to discuss this would be to simply list why every USC game in 2023 will provide fireworks. Nevertheless, here’s our list of USC’s six fireworks games this fall.
6. (tie) San Jose State and @ Colorado
These games don’t belong among the top games on this list. But they definitely deserve inclusion, for different reasons.
USC’s home game against San Jose State will be full of fireworks as the first opportunity for Caleb Williams to make a statement in his Heisman Trophy defense. But much more importantly, it will be the first chance for USC’s hopefully improved defense to make its presence felt with big hits and big plays.
The game at Colorado will feature what is likely the Pac-12’s highest-profile coaching matchup. Games against TCU, Nebraska and Oregon before this one will go a long way toward shaping the narrative surrounding Colorado. But head coach Deion Sanders knows he can make a huge statement in this one against USC. Folsom Field will be buzzing and there will be a ton of attention on this one.
5. UCLA
It feels odd to have this one so low on the list considering the Bruins will be looking for payback after what happened in 2022, both teams could be looking to secure a spot in the conference championship game and Williams could be trying to lock up a second Heisman Trophy.
These teams put up a combined 93 points last season. Things could trend that way again as Williams will want to put on a show in what will likely be his final USC appearance in the Coliseum.
4. @ Notre Dame
It’s really difficult to separate these final four, and any order is probably correct. Notre Dame hopes it found an answer at quarterback this offseason in Sam Hartman. He’ll need to be at his best in this one to match what Caleb Williams and company will produce.
This game at Notre Dame Stadium is already a sellout and the atmosphere will be intense. And that will. be especially true if the Irish can post a home win against Ohio State in September. Williams locked up the 2022 Heisman Trophy with a big performance against Notre Dame. He celebrated one score by hitting the Heisman pose. Notre Dame defenders will certainly be reminded of that heading into this one.
3. Utah
USC players will be as fired up for this one as any game on the schedule after Utah got them twice last season. One thing we found out last year is that a healthy Caleb Williams can move the ball at will against the Utes. Utah is a different team at home compared to on the road in big games. And the Utes will need to replace some key players on both offense and defense. But there is enough coming back to believe Utah will be a real threat in the conference this season.
USC’s previous game against Notre Dame could have a sizable impact on the atmosphere for this one. But the Trojans should bring an undefeated conference record into this one and USC players should be at their best to avoid letting the Utes run their winning streak against the Trojans to four.
Utah fans and players won’t forget what Williams painted on his nails for the conference championship game. Williams and the USC players won’t forget the feeling after the game or what Utah quarterback Cam Rising and running back Ja’Quinden Jackson said in the postgame press conference, and the Utah football program had to say on social media.
2. @ Oregon
It’s already a sellout in Autzen Stadium for a blackout visit from the USC Trojans. This will be the most intense atmosphere USC sees this season, and that includes the road trip to Notre Dame.
The offensive skill in this game is incredible. Williams and Bo Nix at quarterback. USC’s group of running backs and Bucky Irving of the Ducks. And Oregon returns Troy Franklin at wideout and greatly upgraded that position in the transfer portal with Tez Johnson, Gary Bryant Jr. and Traeshon Holden. There will be some points scored in this one.
1. Washington
USC got better on the defensive side of the ball this offseason but this game still might turn into a track meet in a first-to-50 matchup.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 4,641 yards last season (104 more than Williams), which was second most in the nation. He finished third in the country in completions per game and posted a very solid 31-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
The wide receiver duo of Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan might be the best in the conference and is one of the best nationally.
No Pac-12 team outside of USC is getting more attention this offseason in terms of being a potential College Football Playoff team than Washington. This one has all the makings of a big-time offensive explosion with the Trojans celebrating a massive win in the Coliseum.
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